Thursday, 04 March 2021
The 糖心原创 is investigating how sea mussels stick to wet and wave-hit rocks using collagen-rich sticky threads, ending in adhesive pads, known as plaques. The findings could help to solve the man-made challenge of how best to anchor the floating foundations of an off-shore wind farm to the sea bed.
By learning exactly how mussel plaques adapt to grip on to different surfaces, the researchers aim to unlock novel engineering solutions with real-world applications.
The design principles of this natural phenomenon could inspire new ways to securely join dissimilar man-made materials, preventing them from pulling apart when subjected to stress and weight.
The multiple thread-plaque system of mussels could, for example, help to solve the man-made challenge of how best to anchor the floating foundations of an off-shore wind farm to the sea bed.
Engineers are yet to find a reliable way to fix cables from the foundation into the ground, in a system that can withstand the weight of the turbines and the forces of rough oceans and high winds.
The three-year project also aims to mimic the unique structural characteristics of sea mussel plaques, to inform the design of new, ultra-lightweight and porous yet durable materials for use in aerospace and transportation manufacturing.
鈥淢ussels can achieve a steadfast grip on pretty much any material surface even while being pounded by the sea. Their adhesive pads demonstrate an incredible load-bearing capacity, and the stiffness and the surface texture pattern of the material they stick to play important roles in that behaviour. However the exact physical mechanism of the plaque-surface interaction has not yet been established. Discovering this will provide engineers with an inspiring example of how different materials can be joined together to resist external stresses. This gives us an opportunity to explore new engineering solutions by bio-mimicking sea mussel plaques.鈥�
The adhesive structure of a mussel plaque consists of an outer, dense protective cuticle layer and a low density, porous plaque core, which work in a cooperative way. A plaque core exhibits a highly porous structure, consisting of a foamy network of pores at different length scales and reinforced by fibre bundles.
Existing research has demonstrated that a plaque core can achieve good load bearing capacity and strength under tension and shear (forces that cause layers or parts to slide against each other in opposite directions). In contrast, manmade porous materials such as foams or honeycombs have very limited load bearing capacity and strength under the same forces.
The team will also characterise the adhesive structure of a mussel plaque using advanced imaging facilities at the University. 3D printing technology or Electron Beam Lithography will be used to recreate surface texture patterns of materials such as silica glass, silicone rubber and polycarbonate down to the micron-scale. The researchers will then use those findings to manipulate the stiffness and the surface texture pattern of materials to understanding how this can influence plaque adherence.
Test samples copying the internal structures of a mussel plaque core formed under various forces, and with different materials, will be manufactured using 3D printing technology, as will material joints inspired by this natural behaviour.
Meanwhile, a test rig will be built to analyse the way the plaque responds to various loading scenarios when it is attached to different materials. Traction force microscopy (TFM) will also be adopted for the study to measure the forces exerted by a mussel plaque on a surface it is gripping.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Tao Liu on tao.liu@nottingham.ac.uk or Emma Lowry, Media Relations Manager (Engineering) on emma.lowry@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 84 67156.
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.