In a new study published today in Chemistry Of Materials, researchers announced the invention of a new flame retardant coating inspired by substances created by the humble mussel.
Flame retardants are used to coat flammable materials in thousands of different consumer products, from couches to mattresses. Flame retardants keep these items from bursting into flames, but are often toxic, causing researchers to look for an alternative. Enter the mussel.
Mussels and many other animals contain a substance called polydopamine. In nature, mussels use polydopamine as a glue, helping them to hang onto rocks even in rough waters.
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Mussels Inspire New Flame Retardant
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(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Tuesday October 13 2015, @08:43AM
Why would mussels need fire-retardant? By the time they are being tossed on the grill, the fire is the least of their problems. I mean, if their fancy "polydopamine" has failed to keep them attached to their rock, all is lost, all is lost.
(Score: 2) by davester666 on Tuesday October 13 2015, @08:47AM
The problem is, they are addicted to sniffing it. They are stoned out of their shell before they are even pried off their rock.
(Score: 2) by Hyperturtle on Tuesday October 13 2015, @02:27PM
Yeah, polydopamine sounds like catnip for cockatoos.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 13 2015, @02:33PM
Big Tobacco had a problem with cigarettes burning down people's houses. So instead of doing anything to make cigarettes safer, they tricked the country into mandating flame retardants. [chicagotribune.com] So everybody who didn't smoke had to pay for unnecessary add-ons to their furniture.
But now we are starting to figure out that flame retardants to have all kinds of nasty effects on human health [washingtonpost.com] and the environment in general. [inquisitr.com]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by SanityCheck on Tuesday October 13 2015, @08:32PM
Indeed! And given that fewer people smoke now, you think there is a chance we can soon get rid of this crap? My old boss had a severe reaction to chemicals and had to get a special custom made furniture without flame retardants, which were mostly illegal in the US at the time! Now at least we can get some furniture without flame retardants in them.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 13 2015, @03:26PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr_fLDkfB3w [youtube.com]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe9uF41FSbY#t=6m50s [youtube.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 13 2015, @10:33PM
Thank you, for this is most needful! My credit card is ready and I am buying the product immediately! My family will be safe for the first time. Everyone is wanting these, but will there be enough? I must be quick to make my purchase, before they are all sold.