Floppy when wet: Sea cucumber inspires new plastic
The skin of sea cucumbers was the inspiration for a new material that can change dramatically from rigid to floppy when soaked in water. Sea cucumbers' skin is usually supple, allowing them to slide through narrow spaces between rocks and corals. But when touched a defensive reaction makes their skin go rigid in seconds, thanks to enzymes that binds protein fibres together. A second set of enzymes can break those bonds to make the skin soft again.