Scientists made glue so strong it can tow an entire car, created from leftover cooking oil containing fatty acids ideal for making flexible, durable, and moisture-resistant polymers.
Researchers from the University of South Carolina synthesized polyesters from waste cooking oil that rival low-density polyethylene in strength and notably outperform commercial adhesives.
When researchers glued stainless steel plates together, they stayed together even when used to tow a 3,500-pound sedan on a slope.
The glue can also be molded into a stick and used in hot glue guns like regular EVA glue sticks, lifting up to 270 pounds without breaking.
About 3.7 billion gallons of waste cooking oil are generated annually. The ester bonds make these materials biodegradable and recyclable, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.
