Researchers are developing materials inspired by mussel threads that can remove heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens from wastewater. These innovations could help mitigate environmental damage after oil spills.
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Researchers have developed a new nanomaterial tape that can function over a wide temperature range, from -321 F to 1,832 F. The tape adheres to various materials and surfaces, with no noticeable residues, making it suitable for electronic components and extreme environments.
NYU Tandon Professor Jin Kim Montclare has been awarded $400,000 by the Army Research Office for her work on bio-engineering proteins to develop wet adhesion in sealants and medical adhesives. Her team aims to create responsive biological adhesives that can interface with non-living materials.
Researchers found that N-cadherin protein plays a crucial role in arranging neurons to form the columnar microstructure of the brain. The study used Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly brain as a model and discovered that three neuron types are arranged within the columns, with R7 forming the core.
Scientists at Lehigh University and Korea Institute of Science and Technology have created a reversible super-glue-like material that can easily come unglued. The new hydrogel-based adhesive combines benefits of both liquid and dry adhesives, allowing for strong adhesion on flat and rough surfaces.
The Penn team created an adhesive that mimics the snail's epiphragm, allowing for strong adhesion and easy reversibility. The breakthrough was achieved using a polymer called PHEMA, which conforms to small grooves on surfaces when wet, making it stick, and hardens into those cavities when dry, securing itself firmly.
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Researchers created a hydrogel-based adhesive inspired by snails' mucus, combining strength and reversibility. The PHEMA gel achieves adhesive strengths comparable to superglues, with 'shape adaptation and memory' properties.
A graphene-based adhesive biosensor was created with an octopus-like sucker, allowing for full contact with both wet and dry skin. The device can monitor various human activities, including heart rate, step count, and speech patterns.
Two studies analyze the adhesive properties of the Dusky Arion slug's defensive glue, identifying key proteins and structures that contribute to its strength and flexibility. Insights gained could lead to the development of organic synthetic adhesives with reduced risk of complications.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a novel adhesive inspired by the natural mixture of bee spit and flower oil, which shows unique properties in resisting changes in humidity. The glue works similarly to a layer of cooking oil covering syrup, slowing down drying considerably.
Researchers at EPFL's LSMS digitally simulated how surface roughness changes over time, capturing the entire process from initial geometry to final fractal geometry. Their findings suggest that wear debris is present for surfaces to develop self-affine roughness and could lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and costs.
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A new dental filling material made with thiourethane could significantly extend its lifespan, reducing the need for frequent fillings and related complications. The material has been shown to be two times more resistant to breakage than standard fillings.
Researchers detail sticky situations at the nanoscale, finding that miniscule differences in surface roughness can cause significant changes in adhesion. Their theory predicts an increase in interface toughness as roughness increases, with potential applications in micro-electro-mechanical systems and nanoscale patterning.
A new soy-based adhesive, created using Maillard chemistry, shows promise as a non-toxic alternative for food packaging. The adhesive, made from natural proteins and sugars, is stronger than Gorilla Glue on wood and has the potential to replace toxic petroleum-based adhesives.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new reusable adhesive that activates quickly and maintains strong adhesion underwater. The shape memory polymers (SMPs) can be manipulated to transition between two states, allowing for reversible dry adhesion and enabling applications such as wet or submerged wall mounting.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to make industrial polymers adhesive without the need for adhesives or corrosive chemical treatments. This breakthrough enables vulcanized rubber and plastic PTFE to adhere strongly to each other, or to glass and copper, using surface chemistry.
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Researchers have developed an adhesive that can strongly adhere to wet materials like hydrogel and living tissue, and be easily detached with specific frequencies of light. This technology has the potential to enable painless detachment of wound dressings and transdermal drug delivery devices.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed small flying robots called FlyCroTugs that can pull objects up to 40 times their weight using advanced gripping technologies. The robots' ability to anchor themselves to various surfaces using gecko-inspired adhesives and microspines enables them to navigate through snug spaces and inte...
A research team from Kiel University has developed a method to boost the adhesive effect of silicone materials by combining surface structuring with plasma treatment. They found that surfaces with a mushroom-like microstructure exhibit significantly improved adhesion, even when bent to varying degrees. This breakthrough could enable ne...
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Researchers at Purdue University have developed a low-tech solution to improve the machinability of 'gummy' metals, such as nickel, aluminum, and copper. By coating these metals with a suitable adhesive or ink, cutting forces are reduced, resulting in smoother, cleaner cuts.
Scientists have created a new hydrogel adhesive made from two naturally derived polymers that is 15 times stronger than traditional adhesives used for nerve reconstruction. The material supports cell survival, extension, and proliferation essential for nerve regeneration in vitro and in animal models.
Researchers at University of Akron discover the secret behind spider silk's sticky properties in humid conditions. They found that a combination of glycoproteins and low molecular mass compounds helps sequester interfacial water, preventing adhesive failure.
Researchers use hydrogels to safely remove pressure-sensitive tapes from paper artworks without solvents, preserving the underlying artwork. The technique reveals hidden inscriptions like Michelangelo's 'di mano di Michelangelo' on a 16th-century drawing.
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Researchers developed a robotic gripper combining gecko toes' adhesive properties with air-powered soft robots, enabling it to grasp various objects, including rough and dirty ones. The gripper's unique design maximizes surface contact area, ensuring a better grip.
MIT engineers create kirigami-patterned adhesive films that stick to highly deformable regions of the body, such as knees and elbows, and maintain their hold even after 100 bending cycles. The films' slits open at the center of bending, releasing tension and improving grip.
Researchers at UNIST created a new type of underwater adhesive that is stronger than natural biological glues used by mussels. The hydrogel-based adhesive exhibits strong adhesion under wet conditions due to reversible interlocking between reconfigurable microhook arrays.
Scientists have developed a dry adhesive with ultra-sticky properties, comparable to that of a gecko's toe pads. The adhesive was made using a nanoimprinting technique and showed remarkable durability in repetitive attachment and detachment tests.
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Researchers have developed a low-cost sensor using adhesive tape to analyze both liquid and solid samples, improving the accuracy of paper-based sensors. The device detects heavy metal ions in water without displacing indicator ink, making it reliable for environmental testing.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a novel surgical adhesive inspired by the elastic defensive slime of the Dusky Arion slug. The new sealant mediates strong interfacial contact, conforms to skin and tissue, and closes holes in heart tissue with high effectiveness.
Researchers created a polymer-based material with enhanced strength and elasticity by mimicking a mussel's adhesive qualities. The material, which is 770 times stiffer and 92 times tougher than its untreated precursor, offers potential applications in structural, biomedical, and aerospace materials.
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Researchers identify a novel connection between highly variant types of Streptococcus mutans and rampant caries in high-risk children. High-risk children carry more virulent variants of the bacteria with unique adhesive proteins that improve survival in the mouth.
Geckos using narrower perches exhibit longer limbs compared to those on wider perches, contrary to previous assumptions. This finding suggests a different adaptation strategy for geckos, potentially due to greater frictional and adhesive forces that enable them to cling to narrow perches effectively.
Researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles found that molecules move faster as they approach adhesive surfaces due to the nanoconfinement effect. However, this increased movement rate is only temporary, lasting until new molecules fill in the gaps and slow down the molecular movement.
Researchers have developed a mussel-inspired glue that can prevent premature labor and promote healthier futures for babies. The adhesive, infused with dihydroxyphenylalanine from mussel feet, has shown promise in preventing amniotic sac tears during fetal surgery.
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A new inorganic adhesive method was developed to overcome the challenges of using organic adhesive in cryogenic adsorption pumps. The method involves combining membranes of metals with good compatibility, creating a strong adhesive force. The new pump achieved seven times larger pumping speed compared to previous models.
Researchers have developed a new type of adhesive substance that mimics the properties of slug mucus, effectively sealing wounds after surgery. The substance was found to be strong, flexible and non-toxic, with performance comparable to using a hemostat in emergency surgical procedures.
Researchers have created a super-strong adhesive that binds to tissues with strength comparable to cartilage, even when wet. The adhesive uses a double-layered hydrogel design with positively-charged polymers to create a strong bond.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle-based adhesive that exhibits imaging contrast effect in CT and ultrasound, is biocompatible, and ensures accurate target localization during movement. The new glue has shown less toxicity than FDA-approved options and was successfully tested in animal models for various surgical procedures.
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Researchers found that geckos don't always have enough adhesive ability to save themselves, especially when encountering unexpected falls. The study's results could lead to a better understanding of how geckos stick to surfaces and potentially inspire new technologies.
Researchers from Stanford University and NASA's JPL have designed a robotic gripper to grab and dispose of space debris, featuring gecko-inspired adhesives. The gripper can stick to flat objects and curved surfaces, and switch between relaxed and rigid states for precise manipulation.
Researchers found that geckos are subjected to impact forces that approach the safety factor of a single foot, leading to the possibility of injury or failed landing attempts. The study provides insight into the evolution of adhesion and may help understand the phenomenal adhesive power exhibited by these lizards.
Researchers have developed a double-sided adhesive that can stick and unstick to surfaces in wet conditions, inspired by geckos' ability to attach and release their feet. This material could enable underwater robotics, sensors, and other bionic devices with improved friction and adhesion levels.
Scientists developed a bioinspired adhesive material that can be controlled remotely by UV light, transporting micro-objects with high precision. The material consists of mushroom-shaped adhesive microstructures and elastic porous material, allowing for reversible control and detachment.
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The patented resin is made from plant oils, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional adhesives. It provides improved water-resistance, shelf life, and adhesion, making it suitable for various applications, including labeling and coatings.
Glowworms' adhesive threads feature water-absorbent droplets containing minerals possibly from primary urine, extracting atmospheric water to avoid desiccation. The lines' composition is unique, containing mainly water, hygroscopic salts, and biomolecules.
Researchers have developed a dry adhesive that bonds in extreme temperatures, offering properties for space exploration and electronics management. The gecko-inspired adhesive maintains strength in liquid nitrogen and molten silver, and even gets stickier with increasing heat.
A UC Riverside-led study found that a dwarf gecko's microscopic hairs allow it to cling to smooth surfaces, revealing the origins of gecko adhesion. The research suggests that small modifications can lead to complex adaptations, with implications for nanotechnology and biomimicry.
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A team of scientists from Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and UNIST created an octopus-inspired smart adhesive pad to mimic the suction cups on octopuses' tentacles. The pad uses thermally responsive polymer to create suction, allowing for strong bonding and detachment in wet conditions.
CuRE's dental adhesive incorporates copper iodide particles to curb infections and promote healthy tooth bonding. The technology has the potential to reduce secondary caries formation under existing restorations, a major contributor to costly restoration failures.
Researchers have developed novel adhesives inspired by mussels to seal fetal membranes after in-utero surgery, reducing the risk of premature labor and delivery. The new glue works in wet environments, a significant improvement over existing adhesives.
Researchers in South Korea have developed ultra-thin photovoltaics with a record-breaking flexibility, allowing them to wrap around small objects. The new method uses transfer printing instead of etching and produces flexible solar cells with a smaller amount of materials.
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Researchers discovered that English ivy's adhesive is made of arabinogalactan proteins, which can be used to create strong bio-inspired adhesives for wound healing and surface-coating applications. The study also found that the glue has unique properties such as being resistant to moisture and environmental conditions.
Researchers at Max-Planck-Institute for Intelligent Systems have discovered a new reversible adhesive using gallium that can be controlled by temperature changes. The adhesive has potential applications in various fields such as biological samples handling and industrial pick-and-place processes.
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Researchers at LSU create non-permanent adhesive using urea and urease, exhibiting promising properties for biomedical applications. The adhesive's degradation rate can be adjusted, making it suitable for various biomedical uses.
A new type of underwater adhesive developed at UCSB replicates the adhesion strategy of the Sandcastle worm, which is robust in wet conditions. The synthetic glue promotes adhesion between various surfaces and is more resistant to cracking due to its porous structure.
A UCR team adapted CRISPR-Cas9 for use in Yarrowia lipolytica, a yeast strain that converts sugars into useful lipids and hydrocarbons. This breakthrough enables the production of new biofuels, specialty polymers, adhesives, and fragrances from cheap raw materials.
Scientists found that larger animals require more sticking power, but have less body surface area available to cover with sticky footpads. Geckos' unique footpads set a size limit for adhesive-based climbing strategies, making it impossible for humans to climb like Spiderman.
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Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have designed a synthetic material that combines the key functionalities of interfacial mussel foot proteins, creating a single, low-molecular-weight, one-component adhesive. This breakthrough technology demonstrates record-high wet adhesion up to 10 times more effective than previous materials, with app...
Researchers create synthetic adhesives that mimic the viscosity and tackiness of spider web glues, improving performance in humid environments. The study's findings suggest that adding salts to synthetic adhesives could enhance their stickiness.