79 Conclusion
Kinkead Crotts and Rosie Fisher
Jonathan Wilker’s TED Talk provided a view into the world of marine adhesives, showcasing how creatures like mussels, oysters, and barnacles employ their unique biological glues to thrive in their challenging environments. The key points highlighted the significant roles these adhesives play in the survival of marine animals, which allow them to attach firmly to rocky substrates and each other. The talk showed the laboratory where these natural adhesives are being studies and replicated with natural sources. The research aims not only to understand these marine animals, but to understand and mimic their properties to create a superior synthetic adhesive. The potential applications are wide, ranging from fixing a broken mug underwater to being used in medical surgeries where traditional methods are invasive and painful [1].
The talk discusses how by mimicking these biological processes, they can develop materials that are both high-performing and environmentally friendly. The “surf-and-turf’ polymer, a biodegradable adhesive derided from mussel chemistry and corn, show how sustainable innovations could revolutionize industries, minimize environmental toxins like formaldehyde, and reduce waste.
The talk ends with a discussion of the anticipation for the numerous possibilities that lie ahead, as they continue to explore and discover these marine organisms.
