Collaborative Research: The Performance and Evolution of Environmentally Responsive Biomaterials in a Unique Biological Adhesive System: Spider Orb Web Capture Threads

材料随着环境的变化而改变其特性，而这种改变往往会损害其性能。然而，新一代的“智能材料”利用环境响应能力来提高实验室的性能。该项目研究了这种“智能材料”如何在自然界中进化和发挥作用，重点关注粘合剂如何适应环境中波动的湿度。蜘蛛捕获线是复杂的复合结构，通过多种机制产生附着力，这些机制可以协同或独立地响应环境。粘连始于包裹在液体胶滴中的黏性糖蛋白的表面接触，然后当这些液滴和它们所附着的底层轴向螺纹拉伸并通过形成一个宽阔的悬索桥状界面来抵抗螺纹“脱落”时，粘连性得到增强。整个过程在一定程度上是由胶滴中的盐混合物控制的，这些盐吸收了大气中的水，然后润滑胶水，控制胶滴和轴向线的延伸。该项目结合了生物学和材料科学，比较了胶水的分子组成、捕获线的粘附性，以及蛛网如何在蜘蛛群落中捕获昆虫，以了解生物“智能”材料如何对环境做出反应。它将激发新型合成粘合剂系统和“智能”环保响应材料的发展。该项目将为博士、本科生和高中生提供跨学科研究的深度培训。它还将为K5-K12夏令营和教师讲习班开发新的教育资源。

Materials change their properties in response to the environment in ways that are often detrimental to performance. However, a new generation of "smart materials" capitalizes on environmental responsiveness to improve performance in the laboratory. This project investigates how such "smart materials" evolve and function in nature, focusing on how adhesives adapt to fluctuating humidity in the environment. Spider capture threads are sophisticated composite structures that generate adhesion through multiple mechanisms that could respond synergistically or independently to the environment. Adhesion starts with the surface contact of sticky glycoproteins that are encased in liquid glue droplets and is then enhanced when those droplets and the underlying axial thread to which they are attached stretch and resist thread "pull-off" by forming a broad, suspension bridge-like interface. This whole process is controlled in part by cocktails of salts in the glue droplets that absorb atmospheric water, which then lubricates the glue and controls the extension of the droplets and axial threads. This project combines biology and materials science to compare the molecular compositions of glues, the adhesiveness of capture threads, and how webs capture insects across a community of spiders to understand how biological "smart" materials respond to their environments. It will inspire the development of new synthetic adhesive systems and "smart", environmentally responsive materials. The project will provide in depth training in interdisciplinary research to PhD, undergraduate and high school students. It will also develop new educational resources for K5-K12 summer camps and teacher workshops.