Mussel Polymers Licenses Underwater Adhesive Technology from Purdue Research Foundation
Called poly(catechol-styrene), the adhesive was engineered to mimic the glue that mussels naturally use to attach to substrates in the ocean.
Mussel Polymers Inc. (MPI), a startup created by technology development company Wardenclyffe Chemicals Inc., has licensed patented underwater adhesive technology from the Purdue Research Foundation. The technology, which is based on a glue used naturally by marine creatures, was created by Jonathan Wilker, a Purdue University professor of chemistry and materials engineering, with students in his laboratory.
The adhesive is called poly(catechol-styrene). It was engineered to mimic the glue that mussels naturally use to attach to substrates in the ocean. The research effort that led to the development of the adhesive lasted over a decade and was supported with $2 million from the Office of Naval Research.