Bio-inspired waterborne underwater adhesives and Coatings
Abstract
Development of adhesives and coatings that can be applied and bond underwater is an unmet engineering challenge. Marine sandcastle worms use underwater adhesives on a massive scale to glue sandgrains together, one at a time, into reef-size intertidal structures. The sandcastle glue and other natural underwater adhesives prove that development of underwater adhesives is not an insurmountable chemistry or materials problem. Characterization of the sandcastle worm glue by the PI and his coworkers inspired a new paradigm for the development of water-borne, underwater adhesives. The bioinspired approach exploits the polyelectrolyte composition, the condensed water-immiscible liquid form, and the environmentally triggered hardening mechanisms of the natural sandcastle glue. In broad terms, the objectives of this research are to develop cost-effective, environmentally friendly, waterborne, underwater adhesives and coatingsthat fit the unique needs of the Navy. Specific objectives are development of: i) robustwaterborne coatings that are applied and "dry" underwater; and, ii) adhesives based oncrosslinkable simple coacervates that can be applied, harden, and form strong bonds underwater. For the first objective, the durability of a newly developed underwater paint will be maximized while creating a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, easy to us formulation. As a special case, an antibiotic paint will also be developed. For the second objective, adhesives for bonding adherends underwater based on two types of simple coacervates, polyphosphate/Mg2+ and polyguanidinium/SO42-, will be developed. Simple coacervates are formed by the condensation of a single macromolecule and a small divalent molecule. Navy applications for the coatings (paints) may include undersea repairs to Navy vessels without drydocking, and to mark underwater locations. Applications of the adhesives may include i) positioning of sensors, beacons, or ordnance below the waterline; ii) biocompatible tissue adhesives for care and treatment of marine mammals participating in Navy missions; and, iii) adhesives for human tissue repair, including emergent battle trauma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612538
Entities
People
- Russell J. Stewart
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Utah