Japanese scientists have developed a superglue that can be turned on and off on command
Miscellaneous / / August 02, 2023
One piece of such glue holds a dumbbell weighing 40 kg without any problems.
Japanese scientists developed an unusual type of glue that can be easily "turned off" if necessary. Glue particles adhere when exposed to light of the same wavelength and disintegrate when in contact with light from a different wavelength, making it easy to remove and reuse - perhaps even under water.
When developing an adhesive, two conflicting properties have to be balanced: bonding strength and ease of removal. Obviously, strengthening one usually sacrifices the other. The ideal adhesive would be one that sticks firmly during use, but can be easily removed if necessary - for example, to correct a fastening error or use it elsewhere. Researchers from the Japanese Institute of NIMS (National Institute for Material Science) managed to develop something similar.
The key ingredient in the development was caffeic acid, which can form and break cross-links when exposed to light of different wavelengths. The creators made a polymer containing caffeic acid, applied it to the desired surface and exposed it to ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 365 nm. The result is a strong film that retains adhesion at room temperature.
When the glue is no longer needed, it is enough to use UV light again, but with a wavelength of 254 nm. It destroys the cross-links and returns the polymer to its original state. At the same time, it does not leave marks on the surface and does not lose its adhesive properties, which allows it to be reused.
The researchers subjected the adhesive to a series of tests, including repeatedly bending samples and lifting a 40 kg load, which it was able to withstand for 72 hours without any sign of breaking. They also sealed cracked silicone tubes with them, and then passed high-pressure water through them - and found no leaks.
The team claims that this material could have a wide range of applications. It makes complex materials easier to disassemble at the end of their life to give them a second life.
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