It is believed that leaf-cutter ants' mandibles also contain zinc-enriched biomaterials, which strengthen them.

BBC: Earth News - Leaf-cutter ants retire when their teeth wear out

He holds four worldwide patents relating to the production of fuels and chemicals from biomaterials at high temperatures.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Solazyme, founded in 2003 and headquartered in South San Francisco, uses patented technology that allows algae to produce oil and biomaterials in standard fermentation facilities quickly, efficiently and on a large scale.

FORBES: Cunning Capitalists Go Blazing Into Biofuels

Companies are using proprietary technology that takes inputs as diverse as algae, willow trees and sugar cane to produce oils and biomaterials in standard fermentation facilities quickly, cleanly, inexpensively and on a large scale.

FORBES: Cunning Capitalists Go Blazing Into Biofuels

These natural oils and biomaterials are tailored not only for fuel production, but also as replacements for fossil-derived petroleum and a variety of natural plant oils and compounds, making them useful in a wide range of products: from oleochemicals, to cosmetics, to foods.

FORBES: Cunning Capitalists Go Blazing Into Biofuels