Papers published in Bioinspired, Biomimetic and Nanobiomaterials are eligible for awards from the Institution of Civil Engineers. Papers from any of the ICE journals can be nominated for several awards. In addition, each journal has awards dedicated to their specific subject area.
On Friday 13 October 2023, ICE president Keith Howells presented an award to the following paper published in Bioinspired, Biomimetic and Nanobiomaterials in 2022. The editorial panel nominated their best papers and an awards committee chaired by Tim Broyd allocated the awards.
Kajal Mallick Memorial Prize
The Kajal Mallick Memorial Prize, presented to the best paper published in Bioinspired, Biomimetic and Nanobiomaterials, was awarded to Wang et al. (2022).
Abstract
Here the authors report a versatile and strong underwater adhesive that was inspired by the chemical features of mussel foot proteins. A random copolymer (poly(N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)methacrylamide-co-methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride-co-acrylamide) (PDMA)–Tf2N) was prepared that contained side-chain catechol groups and quaternary ammonium cations that were ion-paired with bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide anion (Tf2N−). After dissolving PDMA–Tf2N and poly(acrylic acid) in dimethyl sulfoxide, a polyelectrolyte complex coacervate adhesive (P2) could be formed, which could be triggered through solvent exchange. P2 exhibited outstanding underwater shear strength to various substrate surfaces. After a critical curing time (ts = 10 min), the adhesion strength of P2 to glass increased sharply up to 187.298 kPa (ts = 40 min).
