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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Nicholas Aldred, Professor Tony Clare
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Biological adhesives are materials of particular interest in the fields of bio-inspired technology and antifouling research. The adhesive of adult barnacles has received much attention over the years, however the permanent adhesive of the cyprid - the colonisation stage of barnacles - is a material about which very little is presently known. We apply confocal laser-scanning microscopy to the measurement of contact angles between the permanent adhesive of barnacle cypris larvae and self-assembled monolayers of OH- and CH(3)-terminated thiols. Measurement of contact angles between actual bioadhesives and surfaces has never previously been achieved and the data may provide insight into the physicochemical properties and mechanism of action of these functional materials. The adhesive is a dual-phase system post-secretion, with the behaviour of the components governed separately by the surface chemistry. The findings imply that the cyprid permanent adhesion process is more complex than previously thought, necessitating broad re-evaluation of the system. Improved understanding will have significant implications for the production of barnacle-resistant coatings as well as development of bio-inspired glues for niche applications.
Author(s): Aldred N, Gohad NV, Petrone L, Orihuela B, Liedberg B, Ederth T, Mount A, Rittschof D, Clare AS
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Experimental Biology
Year: 2013
Volume: 216
Pages: 1969-1972
Print publication date: 21/02/2013
ISSN (print): 0022-0949
ISSN (electronic): 1477-9145
Publisher: The Company of Biologists Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.084913
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.084913
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