Development of super glue from wood biomass
Here is a nature made glue product with a bit of intervention by human. It is all based on lignin a complex organic polymer normally found in the tissues of plants with multiple industrial applications making it a coveted product among certain manufacturers. The lignin is made by plants and is found in the cell walls of plans. Its binding nature to cellulose and other plant fiber provide strong cell walls. Usually, the more lignin a plant has the woodier it becomes.
Based on this characteristic of lignin, the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of Japan has developed super glue which they claim is effective in bonding metal and three times stronger than epoxy adhesives. Up to now the lignin only use was in pulp mills as fuel. The super glue was created through genetic engineering in transforming the PDC which was produce by the institute to a polymer with adhesive strength of 90Mpa good enough for bonding stainless steel. The institute is working toward other application of lignin.
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