| 2016-WILK-67559 | |
| Shellfish are the natural experts of underwater adhesion. Organisms like mussels, barnacles, and oysters attach to underwater rocks with ease, yet man-made adhesives struggle significantly in wet environments. When submerged, glue interacts with water molecules prior to attaching to a surface. These interactions reduce the strength of the adhesive. However, the common blue mussel attaches itself via a mixture of atypical proteins cross-linked into an adhesive. By understanding this biological phenomenon, a similar, more effective product can be produced. A Purdue University researcher has developed a polymer mimic of mussel adhesives with exceptional underwater bonding characteristics. The researchers examined adhesive strength of a catechol-polystyrene polymer as a function of polymer molecular weight and composition, resulting in a polymer composition that proves to be the strongest underwater adhesive compared to commercial marine glues. The glue's adhesion is stronger in saltwater versus deionized water, making the polymer a viable marine adhesive. Advantages: -Stronger than natural mussel adhesive -Stronger than commercial marine adhesives -Stronger in saltwater Potential Applications: -Underwater adhesive -Construction and repair in marine and wet environments Related Publications: J. Wilker, et al. High Strength Underwater Bonding with Polymer Mimics of Mussel Adhesive Proteins. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2017. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.7b00270 |
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Aug 21, 2017
PCT-Patent
WO
(None)
(None)
Aug 22, 2016
Provisional-Patent
United States
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(None)
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Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization 1801 Newman Road West Lafayette, IN 47906 Phone: (765) 588-3475 Fax: (765) 463-3486 Email: otcip@prf.org |