New Method Fuses Materials Without Tape or Glue

Scientists from the University of Maryland, USA, have unveiled a groundbreaking method for connecting materials without the need for adhesive tape or glue. This innovative technique involves applying a small voltage to securely bond solid and soft materials. Remarkably, by simply reversing the polarity of the voltage, the materials can be easily separated.

Typically, adhesive tape or glue is used to join different materials, with glue offering strong and long-lasting adhesion through electrostatic and mechanical forces. However, there are scenarios where a reversible connection is preferred, allowing for easy detachment without causing damage to the materials. In search of alternative solutions, researchers explored the concept of electroadhesion.

Electroadhesion, spearheaded by a team of researchers led by Professor Srinivasa Ragkhavan from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Maryland, involves passing an electric current through materials to induce a chemical interaction that forms a secure bond between them.

Experimental trials involved utilizing two graphite electrodes and agarose gel. Applying a mere five volts of voltage, the gel adhered firmly to a positively charged electrode. Intriguingly, attempts to forcefully separate the gel from the electrode resulted in the gel rupturing without detaching. However, upon reversing the electrodes’ polarity, the gel effortlessly separated and moved to another, now positively charged, electrode.

Studies have indicated that successful electroadhesion requires the solid material to conduct electrons, while the soft material contains salt ions. This discovery not only paves the way for applications in dry environments but also underwater, offering potential advancements in technologies such as battery development, bio-hybrid robotics, and biomedical implants.

The research findings have been published in the journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS).