DailyDirt: Bio-Inspired Superglue
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
When you need some good ideas for solving a problem, sometimes nature already has an answer. For example, the original idea for what became Velcro, the hook-and-loop fastener, was inspired by the burrs of the burdock plant which tend to stick easily to fur and clothing. Here are a few other examples of some very sticky adhesives that were inspired by nature.
- Oxford University researchers have developed a molecular superglue inspired by flesh-eating bacteria. To attach itself to human cells, the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium uses thin hairs made up of a protein with a 3D structure stabilized by a very strong intramolecular isopeptide bond that can survive boiling in detergent and strong acids.[url]
- Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a super-adhesive called “Geckskin” that was inspired by gecko feet. The Geckskin is only about the size of an index card, but it can support a maximum weight of about 700 pounds. It can hold a 42-inch flat screen TV to a wall, and be removed and restuck to another surface many times without leaving a residue.[url]
- Mussels, barnacles, and tubeworms are providing the inspiration for future medical adhesives. Aside from clinging to rocks, mussels can also stick to wood, iron, steel, and even Teflon. [url]
- To discover more interesting biological curiosities, check out what’s currently floating around the StumbleUpon universe. [url]
By the way, StumbleUpon can recommend some good Techdirt articles, too.
Filed Under: adhesives, biology, geckskin, proteins, superglues, velcro
Comments on “DailyDirt: Bio-Inspired Superglue”
Microwaves
“To attach itself to human cells, the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium uses thin hairs made up of a protein with a 3D structure stabilized by a very strong intramolecular isopeptide bond that can survive boiling in detergent and strong acids.”
Just when I was thinking we could boil people in detergent and strong acids to remove those pesky bacterium. Damn!
Hmmm, maybe powerful microwaves…
“The Geckskin is only about the size of an index card, but it can support a maximum weight of about 700 pounds. It can hold a 42-inch flat screen TV to a wall”
Fraternity hazing is about to get interesting.
Re: Re:
David Letterman has done a few full-body velcro stunts… and there are a bunch of people working on “geckoman” stuff so that people can climb walls like spiderman.
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/02/pentagon-researchers-create-spider-man-gadgetry-for-real-life-wall-crawlers/
Re: Re: Re:
I watched the Letterman Velcro stunts. Pretty funny.
“Mussels, barnacles, and tubeworms are providing the inspiration for future medical adhesives.”
Already been done. Pirates of the Caribbean.