Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minkyu Kim, Hansol Lee, Michelle C. Krecker, Daria Bukharina, Dhriti Nepal, Timothy J. Bunning, Vladimir V. Tsukruk
Summary: The designed soft photonic bio-adhesive material features real-time colorimetrical monitoring and switchable adhesion. It has a unique appearance and can adjust adhesion strength flexibly in humid environments.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Muhammad Niaz Khan, Tingwei Huo, Qian Zhang, Zhuoyang Hu, Jiahui Zhao, Jian Chen, Zhouyi Wang, Keju Ji
Summary: Biologically inspired adhesives microstructure with both flexibility and rigidity is a challenge. To tackle this, a honeycomb structure with a soft elastic film has been fabricated, providing support and flexibility for a strong attachment. The resemblance to octopi's sucker generates suction forces. Experimental results and theoretical prediction demonstrate the synergistic role of van der Waals and suction forces in this partial-film honeycomb microstructure, making it a stronger and surface adaptable adhesive. The critical role of viscous forces in water and silicon oil wetting conditions is also investigated.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shaoshuai He, Bingyan Guo, Xia Sun, Mingyue Shi, Hong Zhang, Fanglian Yao, Hong Sun, Junjie Li
Summary: Inspired by barnacle proteins, MXene/PHMP hydrogels with strong and repeatable underwater adhesion have been developed in this study. The hydrogels exhibit excellent mechanical properties, high conductivity, and functions as strain and pressure sensors. The potential of hydrogel-based sensors in underwater applications has been demonstrated.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhicheng Xu, Litong Chen, Liangliang Lu, Ruichun Du, Wencan Ma, Yifeng Cai, Xiaoming An, Haomin Wu, Qiong Luo, Qiang Xu, Qiuhong Zhang, Xudong Jia
Summary: Dopamine was introduced into a hydrogen bonding-based elastomer to create a material with both mechanical strength and adhesion strength. This elastomer showed high stress and fracture strain, along with high adhesive and underwater adhesive strength, making it suitable for a stretchable bio-interfacial electrode with self-healing properties.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Qingsong He, Hui Pan, Zefang Zhao, Hao Zhang, Guoxiao Yin, Yuwei Wu, Lei Cai, Min Yu, Jinjun Duan, Qi Shen, Kai Deng, Zhendong Dai
Summary: In this study, a switchable electro-active adhesive based on PVC gel was successfully prepared, inspired by the active muscular locomotion of gecko toes. It exhibited stable performance, greater adhesion force, and faster response speed compared to reported reversible adhesives. This work has important implications for micro/nano manipulation, transfer printing, and climbing robot applications.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuhe Yang, Tianpeng Xu, Ho Pan Bei, Yuanjin Zhao, Xin Zhao
Summary: The Janus periosteum introduced in this study successfully mimics the structure and function of natural periosteum with interior adhesion and exterior anatomical patterns. Through specialized design and material selection, the Janus periosteum demonstrates strong adhesion and cell manipulation capabilities in both dry and wet conditions. In vivo experiments show that the use of Janus periosteum can enhance bone regeneration and shorten the healing phase.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Yang, Xiaocheng Wang, Yunru Yu, Luoran Shang, Wei Xu, Yuanjin Zhao
Summary: Inspired by the multiple adhesion mechanisms of pollen particles and marine mussels, a novel type of dual-adhesive hydrogel particles for bone regeneration is developed. The particles exhibit hierarchical porous morphology and molecular-level adhesion, and can promote angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. These dual-adhesive particles have great potentials for bone repair and wound healing applications.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Liuwei Wang, Zhouyi Wang, Bingcheng Wang, Qingsong Yuan, Zhiyuan Weng, Zhendong Dai
Summary: The study investigates the reversible adhesion/release behavior and structural properties of gecko toes. A hierarchical adhesive bionic toe is designed, which can adhere to and release from targets reversibly. The bio-toe shows good adaptability, load capacity, and reversibility of adhesion.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lisa Gaspar, Patrick Flammang, Ricardo Jose, Ricardo Luis, Patricio Ramalhosa, Joao Monteiro, Natacha Nogueira, Joao Canning-Clode, Romana Santos
Summary: Sea urchins have specialized adhesive organs called tube feet that rely on adhesive and de-adhesive secretions to attach and detach from substrates. Research has shown that other sea urchin species also possess adhesive proteins similar to those found in Paracentrotus lividus. There is high interspecific variability in the glycans involved in sea urchin adhesion, but closer taxonomic species show more conservation in this aspect.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Penghui Wang, Yajie Pu, Yanhan Ren, Shuai Liu, Rong Yang, Xiaoyan Tan, Wenjie Zhang, Tianqi Shi, Shuang Li, Bo Chi
Summary: The bio-inspired hydrogel bandage designed in this study exhibits strong chemical adhesion, ideal compression properties and tensile elongation, as well as excellent cell and blood compatibility, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It also shows the ability to promote wound healing in a rat model, providing a new strategy for emergency treatment in disaster rescue situations.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hongsheng Lu, Pengzhe Zhu, Rao Li
Summary: In this study, the adhesive contact of biomimetic surfaces with gecko-inspired groove-like textures and phyllotaxis spirals textured surface was investigated. The effects of various factors on adhesion were explored, including texture shape, pitch, contact position, texture distribution, Maugis parameter, and Tabor parameter. The results revealed that the gecko-inspired groove-like textured surfaces exhibited excellent anti-adhesive properties. However, surface texture could increase surface adhesion under certain circumstances. This research provides guidance for the application of bio-inspired textured surfaces in adhesion regulation and offers a basis for the design of surface texture in adhesive contacts.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huan Liu, Sumei Qin, Jia Liu, Cheng Zhou, Yuanyuan Zhu, Ye Yuan, Da'an Fu, Qiying Lv, Yu Song, Meizhen Zou, Zheng Wang, Lin Wang
Summary: Inspired by the strong underwater adhesion of natural creatures, scientists have developed a self-hydrophobized adhesive with robust adhesive properties and various advantages, such as promoting wound healing and hemostasis.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Chia-Feng Lin, Olov Karlsson, Dennis Jones, Dick Sandberg
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of sorbitol and citric acid as a potential bio-based formaldehyde-free adhesive for the manufacture of wood composites. By spraying a solution of citric acid and sorbitol onto wood particles and pressing them at specific temperatures and times, boards with the desired thickness can be produced with high modulus of elasticity and internal bond strength.
WOOD MATERIAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kesheng Gan, Chao Liang, Xiangyun Bi, Jizhe Wu, Zonghuang Ye, Wenjian Wu, Biru Hu
Summary: Wet adhesion technology has potential applications in various fields, especially in the biomedical field. Mimicking the adhesion principles of aquatic organisms can address the wet adhesion issue and design artificial adhesive materials. The barnacle cement secreted by crustacean barnacles has attracted research interest as a novel model for designing biomimetic adhesive materials. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews summarizing the design strategies and research advances of barnacle cement-inspired adhesive materials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Anastasiya Y. Yadykova, Sergey O. Ilyin
Summary: The improved adhesive and cohesive properties of bitumen blends with bio-oil and different types of silica nanoparticles were studied. The addition of bio-oil increased the thermodynamic work of adhesion and adhesive strength of the bitumen binder, while the addition of silica nanoparticles improved the stiffness, elasticity, and cohesive strength of the bitumen binder, with the hydrophobic nanoparticles doubling adhesion to steel and the hydrophilic nanoparticles halving it.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Peter A. Davey, Anne Marie Power, Romana Santos, Philip Bertemes, Peter Ladurner, Pawel Palmowski, Jessica Clarke, Patrick Flammang, Birgit Lengerer, Elise Hennebert, Ute Rothbacher, Robert Pjeta, Julia Wunderer, Michal Zurovec, Nick Aldred
Summary: Many aquatic invertebrates use biological adhesives to attach themselves to surfaces, and omics technologies have revolutionized the study of bioadhesion. However, challenges remain and priorities for future research have been suggested.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Victor Kang, Hauke Isermann, Saksham Sharma, D. Ian Wilson, Walter Federle
Summary: The study reveals the efficient prey retention mechanism in Nepenthes pitcher plants, including the reduced surface tension of the fluid leading to easier sinking of insects, and the fluid's resistance to dewetting making it harder for insects to escape, thus facilitating re-wetting.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jerome Delroisse, Laurent Duchatelet, Patrick Flammang, Jerome Mallefet
Summary: The study confirmed the non-photogenic status of the black band in the cookie-cutter shark and identified the sub-rostral area as having the highest density of photophores. Two pilot transcriptomes were generated using Illumina sequencing, predicting an unknown luciferase system and providing valuable resources for future investigations on the biology of this enigmatic luminous shark.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mathilde Lefevre, Thomas Ederth, Thibault Masai, Ruddy Wattiez, Philippe Leclere, Patrick Flammang, Elise Hennebert
Summary: Sea stars adhere to underwater substrata using an adhesive secretion predominantly composed of Sfp1. Recombinant fragments of Sfp1 were produced and analyzed for their adsorption capabilities on different model surfaces, revealing varying levels of adsorption based on the functional domains. Truncated recombinant proteins of Sfp1 Beta C-term were further investigated on their adsorption mechanisms involving EGF-like domain with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, and a unique sequence with adsorption abilities in the presence of Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ions.
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jerome Delroisse, Laurent Duchatelet, Patrick Flammang, Jerome Mallefet
Summary: Bioluminescence, the emission of visible light by living organisms, is a complex biochemical reaction involving different luciferins and luciferases. Studies have shown that genes for luciferases and photoproteins may have emerged as new genes or have been co-opted from ancestral genes in phylogenetically distant organisms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philippe Savarino, Emmanuel Colson, Guillaume Caulier, Igor Eeckhaut, Patrick Flammang, Pascal Gerbaux
Summary: This study focused on the sulfated saponins contained in a sea cucumber from the Indian Ocean, and developed a method to desulfate them using microwave activation under alkaline conditions. The study identified the sulfate function as highly responsible for the saponin toxicity based on a comparison of the hemolytic activities.
Article
Biology
Victor Kang, Robin T. White, Simon Chen, Walter Federle
Summary: Research has found that net-winged midge larvae have powerful suction organs that can withstand tremendous forces on different surfaces, thanks to the microtrichia structures on the surface of the suction organs. These findings provide new insights for designing and manufacturing suction cups capable of adhering to a wider variety of surfaces.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guillaume Caulier, Alexia Lourtie, Lola Brasseur, Jerome Mallefet, Pascal Gerbaux, Patrick Flammang, Igor Eeckhaut
Summary: Quinones in feather stars play a role in providing bright colors and defense. The snapping shrimp Synalpheus stimpsonii uses anthraquinones released by crinoids as chemical stimuli for host selection. These anthraquinones act as kairomones, attracting the shrimp and maintaining the symbiosis between the shrimp and its crinoid hosts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Bonneel, Elise Hennebert, A. Sesilja Aranko, Dong Soo Hwang, Mathilde Lefevre, Valentine Pommier, Ruddy Wattiez, Jerome Delroisse, Patrick Flammang
Summary: The study reveals the mechanism of Tensilin, a stiffening factor in echinoderm MCTs, in regulating the mechanical properties of collagen fibrils. The researchers identified Hf-(D)Tensilin in the dermis of Holothuria forskali and confirmed its stiffening effect on dermal tissues and aggregation effect on collagen fibrils. Additionally, the study provides insights into the interactions between Tensilin and collagen fibrils.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Morgane Algrain, Elise Hennebert, Philip Bertemes, Ruddy Wattiez, Patrick Flammang, Birgit Lengerer
Summary: In this study, the catalog of sea star footprint proteins (Sfps) in Asterias rubens was characterized, revealing their different functions during attachment, including coupling to the surface, providing cohesive strength, and forming a binding matrix.
Editorial Material
Biology
Myra F. Laird, Callum F. Ross, Victor Kang, Nicolai Konow
Summary: The processing and absorption of nutrients from food is a fundamental question in biology, but current research tends to study intraoral food processing and post-oesophageal nutritional extraction separately. This special issue aims to integrate these approaches into a functional continuum and stimulate comparative research on food processing and nutritional assimilation by including perspectives from researchers working on both vertebrates and invertebrates.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Frederik Pueffel, O. K. Walthaus, Victor Kang, David Labonte
Summary: The ability of herbivores to mechanically process plant tissue is determined by their maximum force and the minimum force required to fracture the tissue. Mandibular wear may have a more significant impact on cutting force than mandible size.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Victor Kang, Frederik Pueffel, David Labonte
Summary: Contrary to the traditional assumption that mandible motion is constrained to rotation about a single fixed axis, this study reveals that insects have diverse mandible kinematics involving multiple rotational degrees of freedom, which are functionally significant.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Laurent Duchatelet, Julien M. M. Claes, Jerome Delroisse, Patrick Flammang, Jerome Mallefet
Summary: This review provides a synthesis of knowledge on shark bioluminescence, focusing on the distribution and unique luminescence control mechanism of bioluminescent sharks. It also discusses potential areas for future research on shark luminescence.
OCEANS-SWITZERLAND
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Mathilde Lefevre, Thi Quynh Tran, Thomas De Muijlder, Bede Pittenger, Patrick Flammang, Elise Hennebert, Philippe Leclere
Summary: Sea stars utilize proteinaceous adhesive secretions to attach to surfaces in the sea, with the major constituent being Sfp1. Two recombinant proteins inspired from Sfp1 have been shown to have adsorption and coating formation abilities. Atomic Force Microscopy was used to characterize the nanomechanical properties of these coatings, focusing on adhesive properties and modulus of elasticity.
FRONTIERS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING-SWITZERLAND
(2021)