Mussel Inspired Waterproof Glue

Researchers at MIT have directed their resources to study mussels. What they found was a protein that allows the mussel to glue onto hard non-porous materials like rocks, boats, and other sea creatures. The researchers at MIT did not create and exact replica of the mussel's binding protein but rather used its chemical structure to create something of its kind. The mussel inspired adhesive is is created in the lab using bacterial biofilm protein combined with various plant and animal proteins, which were previously researched for their "sticky" molecular configuration. Researchers put the glue to test by adhering the glue on to materials like gold, silica, and Styrofoam. They found that the man-made glue was 1.5 times stronger than the natural mussel's glue, making it the world's strongest bio-inspired adhesive. The researchers hope to use the water impermeable glue on underwater structures, ships, or even medicine. In the medical field, the conglomerate glue is able to bind wounds in wet conditions, making it practical for operative surgeons who do not want to resort to sutures or stitches. So far, the researchers have not found a cost effective method for glue production and are aiming to redesign the glue to withstand acidic environments where the glue does not fair especially well.

Source :http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2014.199.html