AI Underwater adhesive achieves 10x stronger bonds in seawater

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking underwater adhesive that maintains its stickiness even when submerged in seawater, achieving adhesion strength 10 times greater than existing soft materials in similar conditions. The breakthrough combines analysis of 24,000 natural protein sequences with AI-driven material design, potentially transforming everything from deep-sea robotics to surgical procedures.

How it works: Scientists at Shenzhen University and Hokkaido University analyzed sticky protein sequences from thousands of organisms to identify the most effective amino acid combinations for adhesion.
• The team created 180 different types of adhesive hydrogel (a stretchy, soft material) based on their protein analysis findings.
• They then trained artificial intelligence models on the hydrogels’ material properties to predict even better recipes for super-sticky materials.
• The resulting hydrogel exceeded 1 megapascal of adhesion strength underwater—about 10 times stronger than most soft, sticky materials under the same conditions.

Real-world performance: The material demonstrated remarkable durability and versatility in practical applications.
• A yellow rubber duck remained attached to a wave-soaked seaside rock for more than a year, proving the adhesive’s long-term effectiveness in harsh marine conditions.
• In laboratory tests, the hydrogel instantly sealed a leaking water pipe, suggesting potential for underwater infrastructure repairs.
• The material maintains its bond even after being unstuck and restuck multiple times while immersed in seawater.

Medical applications: The hydrogel showed promising biocompatibility for surgical and implant procedures.
• Researchers successfully implanted the material under the skin of mice without adverse reactions.
• This biocompatibility opens possibilities for use as surgical glue or for affixing medical implants.
• The material could provide a safer alternative to current medical adhesives that may not perform well in biological environments.

What experts think: The research represents a significant advancement in materials science methodology and applications.
• “We developed a super-adhesive hydrogel that works extremely well even underwater – something very few materials can achieve,” says Hailong Fan at Shenzhen University in China.
• Zhao Qin at Syracuse University praised the approach, stating the research “demonstrates a paradigm shift in the way we can design high-performance soft materials.”
• However, Qin noted limitations: “The material must be relatively thick to perform well” and needs testing “outside ideal experimental conditions, especially in real-world situations with rough, contaminated or moving surfaces.”

Commercial prospects: The researchers have filed a patent through Hokkaido University, indicating potential commercialization plans for applications in robotics, electronics, and medical devices.