Liquid crystal forms byssal threads: Mediterranean mussel

Byssal threads of marine mussels form quickly via liquid crystal phase proteins.

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Liquid crystal process for template building materials: ropes, bridge spans, textile, computer monitors, energy capture, energy transfer

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"In marine mussels (Mytilus), byssal threads are made in minutes from prefabricated smectic polymer liquid crystals by a process resembling reaction injection molding. The mesogens in these arrays are known to be natural block copolymers with rodlike collagen cores." (Hassenkam et al. 2004:1351)

About the inspiring organism

Mediterranean mussel
Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819
[Mediterranean mussel]

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Liquid crystal process for template building materials: ropes, bridge spans, textile, computer monitors, energy capture, energy transfer

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, electronics, energy

Experts

Waite Research Lab
Herbert Waite
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara

References

Hassenkam, T.; Gutsmann, T.; Hansma, P.; Sagert, J.; Waite, J. H. 2004. Giant Bent-Core Mesogens in the Thread Forming Process of Marine Mussels. Biomacromolecules. 5(4): 1351-1355.

Lee H; Dellatore SM; Miller WM; Messersmith PB. 2007. Mussel-Inspired Surface Chemistry for Multifunctional Coatings. Science. 318(5849): 426.

Liquid crystal forms byssal threads: Mediterranean mussel

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