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Next > A Glue that Sticks to Nothing Scientists at EIC Labs
have developed a new glue that doesn't stick to anything - how hard can that be?
Well, the trick is that it sticks like epoxy when they need it to stick, but it
can be "turned off" with the flick of a switch, literally. This new adhesive has
specially implanted ions that, when subjected to a potential of 10 V to 50 V for
about a minute, totally looses its stickiness. It holds indefinitely otherwise.
In experiments, it permitted painted metal surfaces to be bonded together and then
separated on command without even losing any paint. Potential uses include holding
solar arrays in place until deployment in space, affixing temporary radio markers
to animals for tracking, and even for surgical procedures.
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