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Title: Intrinsically reversible superglues via shape adaptation inspired by snail epiphragm

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
 [1];  [2]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3];  [3];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,, Materials and Life Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea,
  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,
  3. Department of Chemical &, Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18105,, Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18105

Significance Achieving both superstrong adhesion and reversibility is challenging, particularly for hydrogels. Here, we report a hydrogel-based, reversible, superglue-like adhesive by combining the benefits of both liquid and dry adhesives in a single material while overcoming their respective limitations. When hydrated, the softened gel conformally adapts to the target surface by low-energy deformation, which is then locked upon drying as the elastic modulus is raised from hundreds of kilopascals to a few gigapascals, analogous to the action of the epiphragm of snails. We show that reversible superstrong adhesion could be achieved from a nonstructured material when the criterion of shape adaption is met, with minimal residual strain energy stored in the system.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
FG02-07ER46463
OSTI ID:
1526768
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1609917
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 28 Vol. 116; ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher:
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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