Underwater in 10 Seconds: Super-Strong Adhesive Created by Engineering Team

Breakthrough in Adhesive Technology

According to НВ — Техно: On August 12 at 8:00 a.m., Science Alert published an article about an engineering team's new adhesive that can join surfaces underwater in only 10 seconds. Because water normally interferes with bonding, a glue that sets this fast and holds this well is especially significant for marine applications. The material supports loads up to 2 kilograms for more than three years and can be used again. It is made from a supramolecular ionic liquid called BP16TPB mixed with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which accounts for its water resistance.

How It Works and Where It Can Be Used

The glue's hydrophobic properties allow it to push water away from the surface. Once water contacts the material, its components rearrange into a dense structure. Three key physical interactions are involved in the adhesive mechanism:

• hydrogen bonds
• π-π stacking
• Marangoni effect

During testing, the adhesive reached a bond strength of 1.1 megapascals after just 10 seconds of curing underwater. It was successfully tested on ceramics, epoxy resin, and plastic. The glue also worked in acidic, alkaline, and saline solutions, which expands its range of possible applications. However, it loses its bonding capacity when temperatures go above 70°C.

This innovation could be particularly useful for maintaining and repairing submerged infrastructure, such as pipelines. It can be removed and reattached underwater up to eight times while still performing well. By reducing the time and cost of maintaining offshore structures, the adhesive opens up new opportunities for underwater construction and engineering. Ongoing research may further improve the material for extreme conditions, and its future influence on engineering markets remains promising.