Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Lee BP
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3207216 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lee Bruce P BP Messersmith P B PB Israelachvili J N JN Waite J H JH
Annual review of materials research 20110801
Mussels attach to solid surfaces in the sea. Their adhesion must be rapid, strong, and tough, or else they will be dislodged and dashed to pieces by the next incoming wave. Given the dearth of synthetic adhesives for wet polar surfaces, much effort has been directed to characterizing and mimicking essential features of the adhesive chemistry practiced by mussels. Studies of these organisms have uncovered important adaptive strategies that help to circumvent the high dielectric and solvation prop ...[more]