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Adhesion

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
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Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...

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Concrete's susceptibility to water absorption is due to the capillary action within the pores of its hydrated cement paste. This action draws water in, creating the need for waterproofing admixtures to prevent such penetration. The efficacy of these admixtures is contingent upon the water pressure, with variations arising from different conditions such as rain, capillary rise, or hydrostatic pressure in structures intended to hold water.
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Cohesion

Cohesion

Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type, such as water molecules. Water molecules have an overall neutral charge but are polar molecule. An oxygen atom in one water molecule has a partial negative charge that can bind to a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge in a second water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesive nature.
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Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
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Natural Underwater Adhesives.

Russell J Stewart¹, Todd C Ransom, Vladimir Hlady

¹Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.

Journal of Polymer Science. Part B, Polymer Physics

|June 7, 2011

Summary

Aquatic organisms create powerful underwater protein adhesives by modifying amino acids for strong surface adhesion and controlled solidification. These natural glues offer insights into advanced biomaterials for various applications.

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Marine Biology
Adhesion Science

Background:

Aquatic organisms utilize protein-based underwater adhesives for attachment and construction.
Understanding these natural adhesives involves studying interfacial adhesion and controlled solidification mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review protein-based underwater adhesives from aquatic organisms.
To explore mechanisms of surface adhesion and underwater solidification.
To discuss adaptations in blue mussels, barnacles, sandcastle worms, and caddisfly larvae.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on aquatic bioadhesives.
Analysis of interfacial adhesion mechanisms, including surface charge and ligand exchange.
Investigation of solidification processes triggered by environmental factors (pH, ionic strength).

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Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing

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Published on: July 3, 2020

Main Results:

Aquatic bioadhesives rely on modified amino acids (e.g., phosphoserine, DOPA) for strong surface binding.
Adhesion involves ligand exchange driven by affinities and concentrations.
Solidification is controlled by environmental triggers and can be further strengthened by covalent curing.
Examples include layer-by-layer assembly in mussels and coacervation in barnacles and worms.

Conclusions:

Aquatic protein adhesives demonstrate sophisticated interfacial binding and controlled solidification.
Modified amino acids and environmental cues are key to their function.
These natural systems provide models for developing advanced underwater biomaterials.