Welcome to another update on the biomimicry of starfish!!
STARFISH
STARFISH
One of many papers addressing the biology of tube feet is utilized here.
So, it turns out that the whole tube foot adhesion process is more complicated than the whole its a suction cup explanation that used to be offered in text books. The chemistry and physical processes of the tube foot adhesion is actually quite complex and has very useful applications in adhesives, glues and so forth.
Lets us understand on the mechanisms used by starfish to survive in their habitat and this soon may lead to something with many practical applications.
How does this whole tube foot adhesion/stick to the ground thing work??
1. Contact
This is where the process begin with the contact of tube foot with the glass.
There is a very special layer named "Fuzzy coat" (shown in red below) which is present on the surface of the disk epidermis making contact with the bottom.
2. "Film"
Upon contact two different kinds of special "adhesive cells" release substances onto the substrate (which is the glass) which form an even film (shown in green below).
This is where the process begin with the contact of tube foot with the glass.
There is a very special layer named "Fuzzy coat" (shown in red below) which is present on the surface of the disk epidermis making contact with the bottom.
*"Smuck" is not known to be a true starfish tube foot noise!
2. "Film"
Upon contact two different kinds of special "adhesive cells" release substances onto the substrate (which is the glass) which form an even film (shown in green below).
3. "Mesh"
At this point one of the adhesive cells release a substance that starts to form a thick "meshwork structure" (shown in yellow below) in the fuzzy coat. The mesh expands and "bulk up" creating more structure within the fuzzy coat.
4. Detachment
When the tube foot releases from the glass, a substance will release from the disk epidermis to permits the tube feet can detach easily and at the starfish's will. However, there will be no adherent material accumulate on the adhesive surfaces. Therefore, when we observe the starfish in aquaria will note that the tube feet generally remain clean during detachment in locomotion.
The video below shows the starfish's arm strongly attached to the wall of the tank. When we pull the arm, the tube feet are extended and some of them can even break and remain attached to the wall, this illustrating the strength of adhesion.
These shown the general ideas on the attachment and detachment of starfish. Now let's see on how can it apply to the proposed industry application. Continue reading the next post to find out our novel industry application!
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