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

合作研究：环境响应型生物材料在独特的生物粘合剂系统中的性能和进化：Spider Orb Web Capture Threads

• 批准号: 1257809
• 负责人: Todd Blackledge
• 金额: $ 49.24万
• 依托单位: University of Akron
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-15 至 2018-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1257809&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Performance; Evolution; Environmentally

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.

材料会根据环境变化改变其特性，而这些变化通常会对性能造成损害。然而，新一代的“智能材料”利用环境响应性来提高实验室性能。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，重点是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，通过多种机制产生粘附，这些机制可以协同或独立地对环境做出反应。粘附开始于包裹在液体胶液滴中的粘性糖蛋白的表面接触，然后当这些液滴和它们所附接的下面的轴向线拉伸并通过形成宽的悬桥状界面来抵抗线“脱落”时增强。这整个过程部分地由胶滴中的盐混合物控制，这些盐混合物吸收大气中的水，然后润滑胶并控制胶滴和轴向螺纹的延伸。该项目结合了生物学和材料科学，比较了胶水的分子组成，捕获线的长度，以及蜘蛛网如何捕获蜘蛛群落中的昆虫，以了解生物“智能”材料如何对其环境做出反应。它将激发新的合成粘合剂系统和“智能”，环保材料的发展。该项目将为博士、本科生和高中生提供跨学科研究方面的深入培训。它还将为K5-K12夏令营和教师讲习班开发新的教育资源。