Research Website
https://www.chem.purdue.edu/wilker/
Keywords
adhesives, bio-inspired, toughening, strength, ductility, mussels, biomedical
Presentation Type
Talk
Research Abstract
Mussels and other marine creatures adhere very well in underwater environments, having the ability to withstand the force of the sea. These animals have inspired synthetic biomimetic adhesives for wet systems, presenting potential for biomedical applications. However, most current commercial adhesives tend to be brittle, not resisting repetitive movements. This study assesses toughening strategies to improve the mussel-inspired adhesives’ ductility while maintaining its strength. The strategies included altering the polymer’s chemical structure by changing the percentage of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the molecule and by adding fillers, such as calcium carbonate, silica and nacre - a calcium carbonate compound found in shells. The dry adhesion of the glues was tested by shear lap tests on standard aluminum samples. The addition of PEG increased the ductility of the polymer considerably, creating a viscous paste rather than a solid. Future advances include analyzing the tensile strength and adhesion of the systems, as well as their resistance in wet environments. Furthermore, the toxicity of both the polymer and potential fillers should be investigated.
Session Track
Medical Science and Engineering
Recommended Citation
Narelli P. Narciso, Samuel Lee Huntington, and Jonathan J. Wilker,
"Developing strategies to toughen bio-inspired adhesives"
(August 2, 2018).
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium.
Paper 127.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/surf/2018/Presentations/127
Included in
Biology and Biomimetic Materials Commons, Biomaterials Commons, Mechanics of Materials Commons, Other Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Polymer and Organic Materials Commons, Polymer Science Commons
Developing strategies to toughen bio-inspired adhesives
Mussels and other marine creatures adhere very well in underwater environments, having the ability to withstand the force of the sea. These animals have inspired synthetic biomimetic adhesives for wet systems, presenting potential for biomedical applications. However, most current commercial adhesives tend to be brittle, not resisting repetitive movements. This study assesses toughening strategies to improve the mussel-inspired adhesives’ ductility while maintaining its strength. The strategies included altering the polymer’s chemical structure by changing the percentage of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the molecule and by adding fillers, such as calcium carbonate, silica and nacre - a calcium carbonate compound found in shells. The dry adhesion of the glues was tested by shear lap tests on standard aluminum samples. The addition of PEG increased the ductility of the polymer considerably, creating a viscous paste rather than a solid. Future advances include analyzing the tensile strength and adhesion of the systems, as well as their resistance in wet environments. Furthermore, the toxicity of both the polymer and potential fillers should be investigated.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/surf/2018/Presentations/127