Science Video: Wood Glue Inspired by Mussels
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| Audience/Grade: | College Freshman-Continuing Education |
| Discipline(s): |
Biological Systems and Agricultural Engineering Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
| Special Topic(s): | |
| Learning Resource Type: |
Teaching - Lecture/Presentation |
| Media Type: |
WWW |
| Author(s): |
Organization:Science Daily, editorial staff |
| Description: | Chemist's Glue Borrows Unique Amino Acid from Mollusk. Science Daily article and video, June 1, 2005. Excerpts: "Chemists combined an exotic form of an amino acid -- used by mussels to stick to rocks -- with soy flour to make a new, high-strength adhesive. The new glue helps in manufacturing natural-looking plywood without cancer-causing chemicals such as formaldehyde. Researchers have developed a new group of adhesives for wood products inspired by the ability of mussels to cling to rocks using thread-like tentacles. These threads are proteins that retain powerful adhesive properties even in water. By adding these amino acids to more common proteins, like soy flour, the scientists have produced new wood adhesives. The researchers are also exploring ways to create new adhesives from tree bark or decayed wood." |
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| Related Resources | |
| Keywords: | biomimicry biologically-inspired design |
| Usage Tip | |
| Related ABET Criteria: |
(c) Design a system, component, or process |
| Use of Resource: |
Good example of biomimicry. The articles defines this and add some other examples. "WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY? Biomimicry is a field in which scientists, engineers, and even architects study models and concepts found in nature, and try to use them to design new technologies. Here are some well-known examples of biomimicry: * Velcro was inspired by cockleburs, which cling tenaciously to clothing and animal fur. * The design for the Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe -- the country's largest commercial and shopping complex -- is based on the region's termite mounds. * Both Leonardo da Vinci and the Wright brothers studied the flight of birds when designing their flying machines. * Alexander Graham Bell designed his telephone receiver around the principles of the human ear. * Sonar was inspired by how whales, dolphins and bats emit high-pitched sounds and analyze the returning echoes to help them navigate." |
| Difficulty: |
Medium |
| Interactivity Level: |
Low |
| Version Info | |
| Publication Date: | June 2005 |
| Platform/Format: |
WWW |
| Cost: |
Free |
| Download URL: | http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/0601-wood_glue_inspired_b |
| Metadata: |
IEEE LOM Record |
| Collection: |
NEEDS
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