Experts are developing a Gorilla glue of sorts that releases its grip on demand.
While the product can bind many dissimilar materials, the Newcastle University team expects its use to be focused on plastics — bottles, labels, and packaging — where quick decoupling can aid recycling efforts, according to a news release from the U.K. institution.
“It is more critical than ever to develop technologies that will enable net-zero targets and our glue is doing exactly that,” Professor Katarina Novakovic said.
The “reversible glue” is water-based and can be decoupled with exposure to acidic or alkaline water. The first version required two glues, one applied to each surface. Opposite electric charges in the substances pulled them together. Adding clays to the formula thickened…