Email Print Share
August 29, 2011

Adaptations of the adhesive system of the common mussel could lead to new commercial products.

This image is a representation of the materials characteristics of the adhesive system of the common mussel, Mytilus edulis. Researchers at the materials research center at the University of California at Santa Barbara think that adaptations of these molecular, supramolecular and macroscopic materials delivery systems could lead to major advances in applications ranging from underwater adhesives and biocompatible coatings to medical devices.

Credit: Materials Research Laboratory at UCSB, an NSF MRSEC


Images credited to the National Science Foundation, a federal agency, are in the public domain. The images were created by employees of the United States Government as part of their official duties or prepared by contractors as "works for hire" for NSF. You may freely use NSF-credited images and, at your discretion, credit NSF with a "Courtesy: National Science Foundation" notation.

Additional information about general usage can be found in Conditions.

Also Available:
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (4.4 MB)

Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.

Related story: NSF Announces Results of the Materials Research Centers and Teams Competition