Sustainable Glue

[ysabetwordsmith]

Polymer research shows potential replacement for common superglues with a reusable and biodegradable alternative

Researchers have developed an adhesive polymer that is stronger than current commercially available options while also being biodegradable, tunable, and reusable. The findings show how the common, naturally occurring polymer P3HB can be chemically re-engineered for use as a strong yet sustainable bonding agent.


I am reminded of tacky gel and Maxitack in Terramagne.

Comments

[starbit]

this is interesting, but if it's actually biodegradable, I'd worry about it breaking down too soon. then again, they could put a label on the package that says how long it should last under ideal conditions and then how long it's likely to last and then also what will make it break down faster. so that at the very least people know what they're getting

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Under most conditions it probably won't break down. "Compostable" paper plates won't, unless 1) you pre-shred them, 2) you put them into industrial composting equipment, or 3) you dump them in a hugelkultur trench where it doesn't matter how long they take to break down.

Some things need light and/or water to break down, others need microbes or larger soil creatures, etc. So I'd want to know the mechanism -- how does it break down, and what causes that to happen.