Jonathan Wilker: What sticky sea creatures can teach us about making glue

The video explores how marine creatures like mussels, oysters, and barnacles use adhesives to survive in harsh environments. It discusses the research conducted to understand these natural adhesives and their potential technological applications, such as creating non-toxic, degradable adhesives for various industries. The video highlights the challenges in replicating these adhesives and encourages exploring nature for further learning.

What is the primary survival strategy of mussels, oysters, and barnacles in harsh marine environments?

• Building shelters

• Producing adhesives

• Fast swimming

• Camouflage

How do researchers simulate the natural environment of mussels in the lab?

• By adding salt to the water

• By using artificial sunlight

• By creating turbulence in water

• By increasing water temperature

What is a significant advantage of synthetic adhesives developed from marine biology research?

• They can bond underwater

• They are cheaper than traditional adhesives

• They are more colorful

• They dry faster

What is a major problem with current adhesives used in products like plywood and furniture?

• They are toxic

• They are too expensive

• They are not strong enough

• They are too flexible

What is the 'surf-and-turf polymer' made from?

• Wood and metal

• Sand and water

• Corn and mussel adhesion chemistry

• Seaweed and plastic

Why is it challenging to develop biomedical adhesives?

• They need to be colorful

• They must set in a dry environment

• They need to be non-toxic, strong, and set in wet conditions

• They must be edible

What is a potential benefit of using adhesives in cars and planes?

• They make vehicles heavier

• They improve fuel efficiency

• They increase production costs

• They reduce speed

What is a key feature of the adhesives being developed from marine biology research?

• They are degradable

• They are magnetic

• They are edible

• They are invisible

What is one of the main goals of studying marine adhesives?

• To increase seafood production

• To mimic their properties for technological applications

• To develop underwater cities

• To create colorful art

What does the speaker encourage the audience to do at the end of the talk?

• Visit more beaches

• Watch more documentaries

• Explore the natural world and ask questions

• Buy more adhesives