A study led by the University of Oregon has been looking into the claw tips from crab. The material that makes up those crab tips is bromine-rich and 1.5 times harder than acrylic glass. It is a new member of a class of structural biomaterials that employ heavy atoms like zinc, iodine and iron. The researchers believe the heavy elements play a role in dampening vibrations that can lead to fracture.
The translucent substance enables the claw tips of certain crabs as the pincers pick and hold prey. It also is present on the walking legs of some crabs. The biomaterial can bend six times further before breaking than the rest of the crab’s body materials.
The material is also present in small insects, because small parts are more at risk for fracture that large ones. And because the material is used in small organisms, the researchers hope it could be used in the engineering of microsized machines and tools.
Vytex Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is a patented specialty chemical that reduces antigenic proteins found in natural latex, which could prevent latex allergies from developing.
Vystar Corp. (Duluth, GA) is working with more than 45 manufacturers to conduct trials worldwide where Vytex is substituted for traditional latex or synthetic alternatives in numerous products including exam and surgical gloves, condoms, foams/bedding products, adhesives and coatings.
Bill Doyle, president and CEO of Vystar Corp., said, “VytexTM NRL tackles the problem of latex allergies by virtually eliminating proteins that cause the allergy, possibly making VytexTM NRL safe for people to use without fear of developing latex protein allergy.â€
The gooey, sweet stuff that gets stuck all over your fingers at carnivals might be put to better use. Scientists from New York are taking the sticky material and investigating its application as replacement tissue. It’s possible that researchers could use it to create blood vessel networks within bone, skin, muscle, or fat that’s grown in labs. To make these artificial blood vessels, a thick liquid chemical is poured over cotton candy and left to solidify. Then it is placed in warm water, which dissolves the candy, and you’re left with very small channels that the researchers line with cells. They’re using cotton candy, because it’s inexpensive, but a different material might be required as the scientists move forward. Their work has been published online by the journal Soft Matter. —Maria Fontanazza
The latest in biomaterials has hit the scene with Creganna’s new biocompatible electroactive polymer, Micromuscle. The technology changes volume and other properties in response to an electrical stimulus and can be incorporated into medical devices. The technology enables both controlled movement of a device and the active controlled release of substances from a device.
The material requires low voltage, “only 1 or 2 volts†to activate, explained Magnus Krogh today at the MD&M West show in Anaheim. Krogh is in new technologies at the company.
Devices made from Micromuscle can be formed into structures that move objects or made into a coating that releases drugs. The material enables miniaturization and works in a liquid environment.
The technology was acquired by Creganna after the withdrawal of a significant Venture Capitalist forced the Swedish company, Micromuscle AB to seek voluntary liquidation. Creganna has retained technical personnel of Micromuscle to conduct a technology transfer and is engaged with former customers of Micromuscle to continue development projects incorporating the EAP technology.
“This bioactive polymer has 8 years of R&D to back it. We think it can be incorporated into existing and future devices,†said Alan Crean director of business development. “OEMs telling us how they want to use the product and we are working with them to enable those advances.â€
