An octopus-inspired adhesive performs well in wet conditions
In a study published in Advanced Science, researchers developed an adhesive inspired by octopuses that adheres strongly to various surfaces in wet environments and underwater, while also being easily removable on demand. This innovation has potential applications in fields such as healthcare, underwater robotics, and infrastructure repair.
By studying the suction cups of octopuses, particularly the disc-shaped structure known as the infundibulum, the team created an elastic, curved stalk with a membrane that can change its shape and adhere to different surfaces. Underwater, the octopus-inspired adhesive demonstrated strong attachment to a wide range of complex objects—from small, lightweight shells to larger rocks and soft gel beads with varying roughness, curvature, and hardness. The adhesive could attach to and detach from these objects quickly and repeatedly, even over long periods of time.
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“The octopus has the extraordinary ability to manipulate a wide variety of objects underwater,” said corresponding author Michael D. Bartlett, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. “Our work is exciting because it represents a significant step toward replicating these capabilities in synthetic adhesives, enabling us to securely fasten and quickly release challenging underwater objects.”
