NPU Develops Smart Adhesive with 400x Electric Adhesion Boost

A new smart adhesive material developed at Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in Xi'an demonstrates an over 400 fold increase in adhesion force when an electric current is applied. The material, a thin sheet, can securely hold a 5 kilogram dumbbell when electrified, a significant improvement over traditional materials. This development holds implications for various high tech industries, including chip manufacturing, soft robotics, and precision assembly processes.

Credit: Cloudinary

The material functions by altering its surface adhesion properties in direct response to electrical stimulation. When an electric current is introduced, the material's molecular structure undergoes a rearrangement. This process works to maximise both the surface contact area and the intermolecular forces with any target object. Upon removal of the current, the material reverts to its low adhesion state, which enables a clean and residue free release. Professor Zhu Jihong, who directed the research, characterised the material as an intelligent gripper capable of flexible deformation and on demand strong grip force.

And the applications for this technology extend across several advanced sectors. In semiconductor manufacturing, for instance, the material offers a method for wafer handling without creating mechanical clamping marks or introducing contamination. Soft robotics operations could benefit from electrically switchable adhesion, allowing robots to grip and release objects of diverse shapes and weights without the necessity for complex mechanical grippers. Precision assembly scenarios, such as the placement of micro component where conventional vacuum or mechanical gripping risks damaging delicate parts, also stand to gain. The material's capacity to conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining robust adhesion makes it particularly suitable for handling parts with intricate geometries.

This NPU breakthrough aligns with a broader expansion within China's materials science innovation landscape. In recent months, for example, new electronic grade resin materials achieved a 40 per cent energy reduction in AI server data transmission. These began mass production in Jinan, Shandong. New world class carbon fibre production lines in Jiangsu were also commissioned, intended for uses ranging from offshore wind turbine blades to electric vehicles and humanoid robots.

So, China's materials industry ecosystem has established itself as the world's largest and most comprehensive. According to Pandaily, industry data indicates that China has commercialised new materials products worth over 550 billion RMB. It has also developed the most complete materials sector globally, encompassing all major categories. The industry has achieved nearly 10 trillion RMB in materials industry output and ranks among the top globally in more than 100 specific material categories. The swift transition of laboratory discoveries, such as the NPU smart adhesive, into industrial production showcases the robust nature of this ecosystem.

This progression indicates a sustained investment in advanced material sciences. The ability to move research directly into practical application highlights a matured industrial infrastructure. Further developments in these areas are anticipated, particularly as demand for advanced manufacturing capabilities continues to grow globally. Such advancements could reshape multiple facets of modern production and automation.

• NPU developed a smart adhesive material with a 400 fold increase in adhesion when electrified.

• The material holds a 5 kilogram dumbbell using electrical current, releasing cleanly when power is removed.

• Applications include semiconductor wafer handling, soft robotics, and precision micro component assembly.

• The development forms part of a wider expansion in China's materials science sector.

• China's materials industry output approaches 10 trillion RMB, with over 550 billion RMB in commercialised new materials.

Source: Pandaily