Nature as a blueprint for polymer material concepts: Protein fiber-reinforced composites as holdfasts of mussels

Today’ demands for novel high-performance polymeric materials with precisely adjusted task-specific mechanics, durability and reliability require new concepts. This review introduces the byssus of blue mussels as a conceptual example of a natural functional proteinaceous material with gradual mechan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Progress in polymer science 2014-08, Vol.39 (8), p.1564-1583
Main Authors: Hagenau, Anja, Suhre, Michael H., Scheibel, Thomas R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biomimetics
Collagen structure
Durability
Exact sciences and technology
Fasteners
Fiber reinforced plastics
Fibers and threads
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Gain
Gradient materials
Mechanical properties
Mussel byssus
Mussels
Polymer industry, paints, wood
preCols
Proteins
PTMP1
Technology of polymers
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Summary:Today’ demands for novel high-performance polymeric materials with precisely adjusted task-specific mechanics, durability and reliability require new concepts. This review introduces the byssus of blue mussels as a conceptual example of a natural functional proteinaceous material with gradual mechanical properties. The structure–function relationship of the involved proteins, as well as their arrangement and interplay are described in detail to gain insights into how nature deals with mechanical polymer gradients. The mussel byssus can serve as a blueprint which already led to bioinspired approaches for novel applications.
ISSN:0079-6700
1873-1619
DOI:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2014.02.007