Nature Podcast

A mussel-inspired glue for more sustainable sticking

Sep 13, 2023

33:42

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A sustainable, reversible adhesive inspired by mussels and oysters offers environmental benefits. Scientists explore safe alternatives to BPA in plastics and estimate the brightness of the historic Carrington Flare. Progress towards meeting UN sustainable development goals, focusing on malnutrition, is discussed. Controversy surrounds the origins of stone balls found at ancient sites. Researchers analyze spherical objects and speculate about their use, including ball sports.

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Quick takeaways

A sustainable adhesive based on soya oil and inspired by mussels offers a strong and reversible alternative to fossil fuel-based adhesives with a lower carbon footprint.

Research indicates a high level of craftsmanship and appreciation for symmetry and aesthetics in ancient cultures through the intentional crafting of near-perfect stone spheres.

Deep dives

New Sustainable Glue: A team of researchers has developed a new adhesive that is strong, reversible, and less carbon intensive to produce. Inspired by sea creatures, this adhesive is based on soil oil and mimics the properties of conventional epoxy glues. It has shown similar bond strengths to traditional petroleum-based adhesives, making it a promising alternative that reduces the environmental impact of adhesives.

Glues made from fossil fuels are widely used but have negative environmental consequences. Researchers have developed an adhesive that is strong, reversible, and carbon-light. It is based on soil oil, inspired by sea creatures, and mimics conventional epoxy glues. It shows similar bond strengths to petroleum-based adhesives but has a lower carbon footprint. This new adhesive offers a sustainable alternative for various applications, reducing the environmental impact of modern adhesives.

Introduction

2min

Developing a Sustainable Adhesive Inspired by Sea Creatures

5min

Safe Plastics Alternatives and Estimating the Brightness of Carrington Flare

3min

Progress Towards Meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals

16min

The Mystery of Ancient Stone Balls

5min

Analysis of Spherical Objects and Speculation about Their Use

3min

In this episode:

00:46 A sustainably-sourced, super-strong adhesive

The modern world is held together by adhesives, but these fossil-fuel derived materials come at an environmental cost. To overcome this, a team have developed a soya-oil based adhesive, which also takes inspiration from the proteins that marine animals like mussels use to stick firmly to rocks. The researchers say their glue is strong, reversible, and less carbon intensive to produce than existing adhesives.

Research article: Westerman et al.

07:43 Research Highlights

Why chemicals derived from wood could be sustainable alternatives to a common plastic building block, and how historical accounts helped researchers estimate the brightness of a 1859 solar flare.

Research Highlight: Wood component yields useful plastics — without the health risks

Research Highlight: A historic solar flare’s huge intensity is revealed by new tools

10:08 New insights into childhood stunting and wasting

Around the world, millions of children are affected by malnutrition, which can result in stunting or wasting, both associated with serious health issues. Despite a widespread recognition of the seriousness of stunting and wasting, there are still questions about their extent, causes and consequences. To answer these, a team have pooled data from previous studies, and show that nutritional interventions targeting the earliest years of life could have the greatest impact.

Research article: Benjamin-Chung et al.

Research article: Mertens et al.

Nature Collection: Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

20:29 Briefing Chat

This time, what rejoining the Horizon Europe research-funding programme means for UK research, and the 1.4-million-year-old stone balls that are mystifying scientists.

Nature News: Scientists celebrate as UK rejoins Horizon Europe research programme

Science: Were these stone balls made by ancient human relatives trying to perfect the sphere?

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