Octopus-inspired adhesive works well in wet conditions

In research published in Advanced Science, investigators drew inspiration from the octopus to develop an adhesive that achieves strong attachment and controlled release on varied substrates in wet and underwater environments. The feat could have numerous applications in fields ranging from healthcare and underwater robotics to infrastructure repair.

By studying the octopus’s suckers—specifically, the exposed disc-like portion called the infundibulum—the researchers designed an elastic, curved stalk with a membrane that can change its shape and adhere to multiple surfaces.

Underwater, the octopus-inspired adhesive strongly attached to complex objects from lightweight shells to large rocks and soft gel beads with different roughness, curvature, and hardness. The adhesive could be rapidly attached to these objects over many cycles and over long times and then be quickly released on demand.

“The octopus has an extraordinary ability to manipulate a wide range of objects underwater,” said corresponding author Michael D. Bartlett, PhD, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. “Our work is exciting as it takes a significant step towards replicating these characteristics in synthetic adhesives, enabling us to strongly attach and rapidly release from challenging underwater objects.”

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202407588

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
Advanced Science, part of the prestigious Wiley Advanced portfolio, is an open access interdisciplinary science journal publishing the best-in-class fundamental and applied research in materials science, physics, chemistry, medical and life sciences, and engineering. Our mission is to give top science the maximum accessibility through open access publishing.

About Wiley
Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.