Universität zu Köln

Vihar, Bostjan ORCID: 0000-0001-7663-936X, Hanisch, Franz Georg and Baumgartner, Werner ORCID: 0000-0002-3160-2050 (2016). Neutral glycans from sandfish skin can reduce friction of polymers. J. R. Soc. Interface, 13 (116). LONDON: ROYAL SOC. ISSN 1742-5662

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

The lizard Scincus scincus, also known as sandfish, can move through aeolian desert sand in a swimming-like manner. A prerequisite for this ability is a special integument, i.e. scales with a very low friction for sand and a high abrasion resistance. Glycans in the scales are causally related to the low friction. Here, we analysed the glycans and found that neutral glycans with five to nine mannose residues are important. If these glycans were covalently bound to acrylic polymers like poly(methyl methacrylate) or acrylic car coatings at a density of approximately one molecule per 4 nm(2), friction for and adhesion of sand particles could be reduced to levels close to those observed with sandfish scales. This was also found true, if the glycans were isolated from sources other than sandfish scales like plants such as almonds or mistletoe. We speculate that these neutral glycans act as low density spacers separating sand particles from the dense scales thereby reducing van der Waals forces.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Vihar, Bostjan UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-7663-936X UNSPECIFIED Hanisch, Franz Georg UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Baumgartner, Werner UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-3160-2050 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-282185
DOI:	10.1098/rsif.2016.0103
Journal or Publication Title:	J. R. Soc. Interface
Volume:	13
Number:	116
Date:	2016
Publisher:	ROYAL SOC
Place of Publication:	LONDON
ISSN:	1742-5662
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language LOCOMOTION; OXIDASE; PMMA Multiple languages Multidisciplinary Sciences Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/28218