Now Reading: New underwater glue bonds in 10 seconds, strengthens with water
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New underwater glue bonds in 10 seconds, strengthens with water
Scientists have created an underwater adhesive that bonds in just 10 seconds and grows stronger the longer it stays wet. Built from a supramolecular ionic liquid called BP16TPB, the glue works by…
The Story in Brief
Scientists have created an underwater adhesive that bonds in just 10 seconds and grows stronger the longer it stays wet. Built from a supramolecular ionic liquid called BP16TPB, the glue works by reorganising its molecular structure when it meets water, pushing aside the thin hydration layer that usually prevents bonding. In lab tests, the material reached an adhesive strength of 1.1 million pascals within seconds and held a 2 kg weight for over three years of continuous underwater immersion, the Times of India reports. It can also be peeled off and reused at least eight times without losing grip, and works in acidic, alkaline, and salty conditions.
The Indian Opinion
Breakthroughs in underwater adhesives appear regularly in journals, but most never make it beyond the lab. This one has clear advantages: it sets fast, gets stronger with water, and can be reused. Still, real-world use depends on cost and scalability. BP16TPB is a custom compound, not an off-the-shelf ingredient. The key test will be whether it can be produced cheaply enough for repairing pipelines and marine sensors at scale, or whether it remains a clever scientific curiosity. Who is investing in commercialisation?
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
