A strategy is proposed to develop protein glues, with the emphasis on space applications. The fundamental science of protein glues has now been established, but engineering applications are in their infancy. The proposed work is designed to fit into existing facilities at the Center for Micro-Encapsulation and Drug Delivery (CMDD) in Texas A&M University. The main objective of this work is to study how to make a synthetic version of the protein glues, and use the glue to manufacture microcapsules (sizes typically range from 1mm to 2000mm) using the new CMDD microencapsulator. Currently, emulsion technologies have been successfully used to produce effective micro-capsules, but coupling of synthetic production of the protein glues with the micro-encapsulator promises larger quantities of glue and micro-capsules for practical space applications. Some example applications currently being considered include: extended drug delivery for long space flights, post-operative (or damaged) tissue repair, self-healing surfaces, and artificial skin.

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