Scientists have taken inspiration from a fish that’s been sticking to marine animals for millions of years. The remora, also known as suckerfish, uses a special disk on its head to latch onto sharks, dolphins, and even manta rays. Now, researchers at MIT have studied this natural adhesive and created a new system that could be used inside the human body and for underwater work.

The Secret Behind the Remora’s Stickiness

The remora’s adhesive disk isn’t just a simple suction cup. It’s an evolved part of the fish’s dorsal fin, supported by a tiny bone structure. This structure supports tiny bony plates called lamellae, which have backward-facing spikes called spinules. The entire disk is covered with soft tissue compartments that can be opened or closed.

When the remora presses its disk against a surface, water is pushed out of these compartments, creating a low-pressure zone. The spinules then lock mechanically into the surface, making the fish stick securely. To detach, the fish lifts the disk, allowing water back in and releasing its grip. This combination of suction and Velcro-like locking makes the remora a master of underwater adhesion.

Adapting Nature for Human Use

Scientists wanted to mimic this mechanism to create a device that could stick inside the human body. They designed a tiny adhesive system called MUSAS (Mechanical Underwater Soft Adhesion System). It’s small enough to fit inside a pill—about the size of the largest FDA-approved capsule—and can travel through the digestive system to reach its target spot.

MUSAS is made with materials inspired by the remora. It has a supporting structure of stainless steel and flexible lamellae made from a shape-memory alloy called nickel-titanium. This alloy can change shape in response to body temperature. Inside the pill, the device is folded up. Once it reaches the right part of the gut, it dissolves the capsule and the alloy unfolds, allowing the device to stick to the wall of the stomach or intestines.

The sticking process relies on the natural movements of the digestive system. As muscles contract, they press MUSAS against the tissue, helping it stay put for days or even weeks. Tests on pig organs showed that MUSAS could remain attached for over a week, even with food moving around or when poked with a pipette to test its grip. It proved to be a reliable and strong adhesive inside the body.

Beyond Medicine: Potential for Underwater and Industrial Use

While the primary goal was to develop a reliable internal drug delivery platform, researchers see many other uses for MUSAS. Its remarkable strength and flexibility suggest it could be used in underwater manufacturing or robotics. For example, robotic arms could use scaled-up versions of MUSAS as passive grippers to hold soft, wet objects without heavy vacuum systems.

Kang, one of the researchers, explains that MUSAS can hold objects more than a thousand times heavier than itself. This makes it a promising tool for underwater repairs, maintenance, or construction tasks. Robots equipped with MUSAS could perform delicate jobs beneath ships or in tight spaces where traditional tools are too bulky or complex.

Overall, this fish-inspired adhesive shows how nature’s solutions can lead to innovative technology. From medical devices that stick inside your body to underwater robots that can hold onto slippery surfaces, the future looks pretty exciting. Researchers are just beginning to explore all the ways MUSAS could be put to work, and it’s clear that lessons from the ocean’s best stickers can help us solve some tough engineering problems.

Inspired by

• https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/08/new-adhesive-surface-modeled-on-a-remora-works-underwater/

Sources

• conde.digital
• cnevids.com
• doi.org