Mussel Inspired Self-Healing Sticky Gel

Mussels, small, underwater creatures usually found attached very firmly to rocks, have the ability to secrete a very sticky adhesive. This substance allows them to stick to rocks despite the waves that may be crashing against them, and if it tears, the adhesive has the ability to self-repair itself within minutes. Scientists of the University of Chicago and Northwestern University were intrigued by the extremely thin holdfast fibers that were within the adhesive secreted by the mussels, and they have invented a synthetic version of this sticky substance. Using a polymer that instantly turns into gel when mixed with sodium hydroxide, permanent covalent bonds, and bonds that exhibit both strength and reversibility, the gel can repair tears within minutes. The pH has a great effect on the new gel, changing it from a simple green solution when in a low pH, and a red, self-healing sticky gel when in mixed with a solution with high alkalinity. This mussel inspired gel has an impressive future of becoming an adhesive or coating for underwater machinery. In biomedical settings, it can be used as a surgical adhesive or as a bonding agent for implants.

See: http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-universal-solvent-self-healing-sticky-gel.html

Posted by: Alex Egan