Mar-14-17
A new shellfish-inspired adhesive works underwater and bonds more strongly than conventional glues.
Developed by a team from Purdue University, the adhesive was inspired by the way mussels and other shellfish attach themselves to underwater rocks. The biometric polymer mimics the amino acid DOPA, which is responsible for the mussel’s adhesive abilities. The team recreated the process using catechols, which have the same chemical groups as are found in DOPA, and also possess a talent for “drilling down” through surface waters to attach to objects beneath.
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