Team:Exeter/Applications

From 2012.igem.org

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  <p>Could it be possible to produce polysaccharides that have specific hydro(phobic/phillic) domains that would self-assemble when introduced to water. We believe this could be possible and if it were, imagine what you could use it for! Could it be used to create a small bridge over water or perhaps a quick release raft? And if you could make it into a raft, why not aim a bit bigger and mould a boat or even a cruise liner!</p><br>
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  <p>Could it be possible to produce polysaccharides that have specific hydro(phobic/phillic) domains that would self-assemble when introduced to water. We believe this could be possible, and if it were, imagine what you could use it for! Could it be used to create a small bridge over water or perhaps a quick release raft? And if you could make it into a raft, why not aim a bit bigger and mould a boat or even a cruise liner!</p><br>
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<p>If you’ve never been in a situation where you have required the ability to travel over a stretch of water and perhaps need a more practical use using a rubbery material displaying interesting elastic properties then look no further!</p>
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<p>If you’ve never been in a situation where you have required the ability to travel over a stretch of water and perhaps need a more practical use for using a rubbery material displaying interesting elastic properties then look no further!</p>
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<p>The self-healing abilities of certain types of supramolecular elastomers arise due to their intermolecular interactions. We think this could be improved upon using research into polysaccharides, to create a glue, gel or paint like product which could be easily sprayed or coated onto materials which need protecting. These could include covering a vehicle to make it effectively “scratch proof” or producing a thinner film to cover screens, like those found on smart phones, which come under a constant barrage of attacks daily from keys and coins!</p><br>
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<p>The self-healing abilities of certain types of supramolecular elastomers arise due to their intermolecular interactions. We think this could be improved upon using research into polysaccharides, to create a glue, gel or paint like product which could be easily sprayed or coated onto materials which need protecting. These could include covering a vehicle to make it effectively “scratch proof” or, producing a thinner film to cover screens, like those found on smart phones, which come under a constant barrage of attacks daily from keys and coins!</p><br>
<p>Still not satisfied?</p><br>
<p>Still not satisfied?</p><br>

Revision as of 15:39, 23 September 2012

Polysaccharides have a spectacular range of properties which stem from the relationships between the chemical nature of the sugars, their arrangement within the polymer and the arrangement of the polymer itself. They appear in every corner of the natural world and have multiple applications in nature ranging from protection to energy storage.

Not surprisingly humanity has taken advantage of their diversity and by doing so created a huge variety of uses within the medicinal, material and consumable sectors.




We invite you to take a brief look at what we believe could one day be possible if a system to design bespoke polysaccharides existed.


“It is not what we believe to be impossible that holds us back, but merely the limit to our imagination.”

Alex Clowsley, 2012.





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