《Scientists finally unravel the mysteries of barnacle glue》：
Barnacles are not renowned for being terribly interesting creatures — after all, they spend almost all their lives stuck in the same place. It’s actually how they stick that might be the most interesting thing about them. Scientists have been trying to figure out how barnacles are able to stick to so many things so securely, and an international team led by researchers from Newcastle University in the UK has finally cracked it. Barnacles, it turns out, are using a clever two-step process to cement themselves to anything they please.
Scientists have long known that barnacles produce two different components as part of their bioadhesive, but previous assumptions about the process have been disproven by the new research, which was sponsored by the US Office of Naval Research. Many scientists studying barnacles previously thought that the two compounds were mixed to form a fast-setting glue that could stick the barnacle to a rock outcropping or ship’s hull. It was a reasonable conclusion, given how many synthetic glues work.
Using advanced microscopy techniques, the team was able to observe the binding process as barnacles plant themselves in the spot where they will live out the rest of their days. As the larval creature settles over its intended target, it releases a drop of an oily compound (a lipid) that displaces water from the surface. It then excretes a second phosphoprotein compound — the actual glue — to stick itself to the now “dry” underwater surface.
So, why all the interest in barnacle glue? The simple fact that these organisms can attach underwater to almost any surface in a wide variety of conditions makes it extremely interesting tomaterials science researchers. We still have yet to produce a synthetic adhesive that is as effective as the cement excreted by a barnacle. There is also interest in finding a way to prevent barnacles from sticking to ships in the first place, which causes drag and wasted fuel. Now we’re one step closer.
《Scientists finally unravel the mysteries of barnacle glue》：
Barnacles are not renowned for being terribly interesting creatures — after all, they spend almost all their lives stuck in the same place. It’s actually how they stick that might be the most interesting thing about them. Scientists have been trying to figure out how barnacles are able to stick to so many things so securely, and an international team led by researchers from Newcastle University in the UK has finally cracked it. Barnacles, it turns out, are using a clever two-step process to cement themselves to anything they please.
Scientists have long known that barnacles produce two different components as part of their bioadhesive, but previous assumptions about the process have been disproven by the new research, which was sponsored by the US Office of Naval Research. Many scientists studying barnacles previously thought that the two compounds were mixed to form a fast-setting glue that could stick the barnacle to a rock outcropping or ship’s hull. It was a reasonable conclusion, given how many synthetic glues work.
Using advanced microscopy techniques, the team was able to observe the binding process as barnacles plant themselves in the spot where they will live out the rest of their days. As the larval creature settles over its intended target, it releases a drop of an oily compound (a lipid) that displaces water from the surface. It then excretes a second phosphoprotein compound — the actual glue — to stick itself to the now “dry” underwater surface.
So, why all the interest in barnacle glue? The simple fact that these organisms can attach underwater to almost any surface in a wide variety of conditions makes it extremely interesting tomaterials science researchers. We still have yet to produce a synthetic adhesive that is as effective as the cement excreted by a barnacle. There is also interest in finding a way to prevent barnacles from sticking to ships in the first place, which causes drag and wasted fuel. Now we’re one step closer.