New super-strong hydrogel can help advance biomedical and marine tech

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new super-strong hydrogel with record-breaking underwater adhesive strength, capable of supporting objects weighing up to 139 pounds (63 kg) on a postage-stamp-sized patch. This hydrogel, inspired by adhesive proteins found in diverse organisms such as archaea, bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes, was designed by analyzing nearly 25,000 natural adhesive proteins using data mining and machine learning techniques. By replicating key amino acid sequences responsible for underwater adhesion, the team synthesized 180 unique polymer networks, with machine learning further optimizing the hydrogel’s adhesive properties. The resulting material exhibits instant, strong, and repeatable adhesion across various surfaces and water conditions, including fresh and saltwater. The hydrogel’s adhesive strength was demonstrated through practical tests, such as holding a rubber duck firmly on a seaside rock despite ocean tides and waves, and instantly sealing a leaking pipe with a patch that could be reapplied multiple times without loss of effectiveness. Its