Abstract: Based on shells' components,structures and characters,this paper made a review of a wide variety of shell materials' manufactures and applications,and divided their functions into several parts.In order to make full use of shell materials,this paper emphatically introduced shells' applications in aspects of absorbing CO₂,harnessing pollution,and sterilizing.Meanwhile,it demonstrated preparation and practice of shells' composites and biomimetic materials.Contrasted with limestone,which is a traditional material,shells are far easier to obtain.Due to shells' various kinds of advantages,utmost significance should be attached to developing shell materials.