# Armor Made of Fish Scales MIT's Fishy Innovation By Bianca | Published 2008-07-28 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/armor-made-of-animals-fish-scale-protection References: [http](http://http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKN2730875220080727?feedType=nl&feedName=uktechnology) We've seen [fish scale bikinis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kerecis), but now [MIT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-kit) researchers think they can create a protective armor based on the scales of fish. Fish scales protect fish from getting attacked by other creatures of the sea, but as anyone who's ever touched a fish knows, they're also very light weight. Applying the same concept for a light weight human armor is exactly what MIT researchers are hoping to do. In contrast to armors people have traditionally worn, fish scales are made up of tiny individual sections, allowing great flexibility. MIT studied Gray bichir, or *Polypterus senegalus*, a long, eel-like, shallow fresh water fish from Africa, seen in the gallery. While the MIT project was funded by the [U.S. Army](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masterclass-cyberwarfare), the designs below certainly were not! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fish Scale Armor:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a lightweight and flexible armor for human use based on the structure of fish scales. ### Where This Applies - **Military Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of fish scale armor in military applications to provide lightweight protection for soldiers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Scallop Shell-Constructed Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shellmet.md) - [Protective Cut-Proof Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/armortex-jacket.md) - [Oceanic Recycled Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shellmet-helmet.md) - [Bionic Fishing-Tracking Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-positioning-fish.md) - [Cultivated Seabass Fillets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fish-alternative.md) - [Tunable Insulating Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/squid-skin.md) - [Protective Earthquake Response Shields](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/testudo-shield-and-helmet.md) - [Lightweight Helmet Liners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helmet-liner.md) - [Load-Relieving Armored Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/armored-exoskeleton.md)