Concept of electrocuring adhesive.
Inspired by limitations of biomimetic glues in wet environments Voltaglue has many apps incl:
– gluing metal panels under water eg underwater pipe repairs;
– Replacing sutures when there is a need to join body tissues together during surgery;
– Tailoring the properties of the adhesive to be more gel-like or rubber-like which would work well in vibrating or damp environments
In future, surgeons could use biocompatible glue patches to join 2 pieces of internal body tissue together in 1-2 minutes, instead of sutures which often require 15 to 20 minutes of careful stitching. Assistant Professor Terry Steele said it took them over a year to develop an adhesive that could work under wet conditions such as in the human body or underwater.
Diazirine electrochemistry and aryl-carbene formation.
Usually adhesives such as superglue harden upon contact with moisture in the air. Others like epoxy, often used in electronic mobile devices, has to be baked in high heat of about 150C, or made using 2 different chemicals mixed together. These methods are unsuitable in wet environments. “The hardness of our glue can be adjusted by the amount of time we apply a voltage to it, ie electrocuring.”
METHOD: they used hydrogels consisting of carbon molecules called carbenes grafted onto tree-shaped plastic known as dendrimers. Upon contact with electricity, the reactive carbenes, which are capable of hooking onto any surface nearby, are released. The amount of “hooks” created depends on how long electricity is applied and how many carbenes are present.
Shear adhesion of electro-activated PAMAM-g-diazirine conjugates.
Another distinct feature of the new glue is that it could be made reversible. Glues which can cure and be subsequently un-cured through electricity would be the industry’s “Holy Grail,” as automakers and shipyards will be able to assemble and dissemble parts with ease, minimising the need for fixation by bolts, nuts and screws, and transportation applications, worth over US$3.3 billion in 2016 (Adhesives and Adhesive Applying Equipment, by BCC Research)
Asst Prof Steele and his team of 11 researchers are working to improve their new electrocuring glue so it can harden in just a few seconds, compared to about 30 seconds now; and also working on a way to undo the process. http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=155679&CultureCode=en
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