從大自然學習！天鷹蠕蟲提供環保塑膠新靈感

革命性的發現：天鷹蠕蟲黏液為永續材料設計提供新靈感

根據加拿大麥基爾大學（McGill University）研究人員的最新研究，一種由天鷹蠕蟲（Velvet Worm）分泌的特殊黏液，可能為未來可持續材料的發展帶來革命性突破。這項研究發現，一種在澳洲、新加坡和巴巴多斯等地的天鷹蠕蟲身上保存了近4億年的天然蛋白質結構，使得該黏液能夠在液態與纖維之間轉換。這一發現為新一代可回收的生物塑料提供了寶貴的設計藍圖。

A groundbreaking study from McGill University in Canada has unveiled a remarkable natural mechanism that could revolutionize sustainable material development. Researchers have discovered that the slime secreted by the velvet worm (Onychophora) - a creature that has existed for nearly 400 million years - contains a unique protein structure capable of transitioning between liquid and fiber states. This discovery provides a blueprint for the next generation of recyclable bioplastics.

天然靈感：從天鷹蠕蟲學習永續材料設計

Learning Sustainability from Nature

"Nature has already perfected methods for creating strong yet recyclable materials. Our research deciphers these molecular structures, aiming to replicate their efficiency in everyday materials," said Professor Matthew Harrington, Chair of Green Chemistry at McGill University and the study’s lead researcher.

「大自然已經發展出製造強韌且可回收材料的方法，我們的研究只是解讀這些分子結構，試圖將這種高效能複製到日常材料中。」本研究的領導者、麥基爾大學綠色化學研究主席馬修·哈靈頓（Matthew Harrington）教授表示。

天鷹蠕蟲是一種生長在南半球潮濕森林中的小型毛毛蟲狀生物，牠們利用黏液來捕捉獵物。當黏液噴出時，會迅速硬化成與尼龍相當強韌的纖維，而這種纖維可透過水溶解後重新組裝。過去，這種可逆轉變機制的分子基礎仍是一個謎。

The velvet worm, a caterpillar-like organism found in humid forests across the Southern Hemisphere, captures prey by ejecting sticky slime, which rapidly solidifies into tough fibers comparable to nylon. These fibers, however, can later be dissolved in water and reassembled - an ability that had remained a mystery until now.

分子層級的突破：AI 解析蛋白質結構

透過蛋白質測序與人工智慧驅動的結構預測技術（AlphaFold，該技術曾獲2024年諾貝爾獎），哈靈頓團隊鑑定出黏液中一種前所未見的蛋白質，該蛋白質的功能與免疫系統中的細胞受體相似。研究人員推測，這些受體蛋白在纖維形成過程中負責連結大型結構蛋白，使黏液在適當條件下變硬或溶解。透過比較3800萬年前即分化的兩個天鷹蠕蟲亞群，研究團隊證實了這種蛋白質在演化中的關鍵作用。

永續性挑戰：從化石燃料塑膠到天然可回收材料

目前，傳統塑膠與合成纖維主要依賴石油衍生物製造，不僅生產過程需消耗大量能源，回收時更常需高溫熔融或使用化學溶劑處理，導致環境污染。而天鷹蠕蟲的黏液機制則完全不同，其纖維生成只需簡單的機械力（如拉伸與擠壓），且原材料可再生，甚至能透過水的作用溶解並重新組裝，無需額外的高能耗或有害化學處理。

Molecular Breakthrough: AI Unveils Protein Structure

Using protein sequencing and AI-driven structural prediction (specifically AlphaFold, the 2024 Nobel Prize-winning technology), Harrington’s team identified a previously unknown protein in the slime. This protein functions similarly to cell receptors in the immune system, playing a crucial role in binding structural proteins together during fiber formation.

By comparing two velvet worm species that diverged 38 million years ago, researchers confirmed that this protein is a key evolutionary component enabling the slime’s reversible transformation.

Addressing Sustainability Challenges: From Fossil-Based Plastics to Renewable Materials

Conventional plastics and synthetic fibers rely heavily on petroleum-derived materials, which require energy-intensive production and harsh chemical processes for recycling - causing significant environmental damage.

「當然，一個能溶於水的塑膠瓶可能不太實用，但如果我們能調整這種蛋白質的鍵結機制，或許可以解決這個問題，並創造出更環保的替代材料。」哈靈頓補充道。

未來應用：朝向循環經濟邁進

In contrast, the velvet worm’s slime-based fibers are formed simply through mechanical forces such as stretching and extrusion. Moreover, the material is renewable and can be recycled using water alone, eliminating the need for high energy consumption or harmful solvents.

"Of course, a plastic bottle that dissolves in water might not be very practical. But if we can fine-tune these protein bonding mechanisms, we could develop a viable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics," Harrington added.

這項研究由麥基爾大學與新加坡南洋理工大學（Nanyang Technological University, NTU）合作完成。研究團隊的下一步將專注於實驗驗證這些蛋白質的鍵結機制，並探索如何將這一原理應用於工程材料，開發具有可逆轉變特性的生物塑膠或可再生纖維。

Future Applications: Advancing the Circular Economy

在全球尋求更永續的材料選擇之際，這項研究提供了一個重要的天然範例，或許未來，我們的日常塑膠產品將不再依賴不可再生資源，而是從大自然中學習如何創造可持續、可回收的材料，真正實現循環經濟。

This study was conducted in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Moving forward, the research team will focus on experimental validation of the protein’s binding mechanisms and explore how this principle can be applied to engineered materials, including bioplastics and renewable fibers with reversible properties.

Revolutionary Discovery: Velvet Worm Slime Inspires Sustainable Material Design

As industries worldwide seek sustainable material solutions, this research highlights nature’s potential to inspire fully recyclable, eco-friendly alternatives. In the near future, everyday plastic products may no longer rely on non-renewable resources but instead mimic nature’s designs, bringing us closer to a true circular economy.