Dartmouth researchers have discovered how to make temporary adhesives that don’t require force for removal. The innovative glue is potent for sticking things together but can turn into a gas when they need to release.
Katherine Mirica, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Dartmouth, said:
This temporary adhesive works in an entirely different way than other adhesives. This innovation will unlock new manufacturing strategies where on-demand release from adhesion is required.
This novel glue is based on molecular solids – a class of adhesive materials that exist as crystals and can transform directly from a solid state to a gas without passing through a liquid phase. Molecular solids are an essential ingredient to these new adhesives. When it’s time to remove the glue, all you have to do is heat it in a vacuum environment; then it turns into a gas and releases with ease.
Mirica explained:
The use of sublimation—the direct transition from solid to vapor—is valuable because it offers gentle release from adhesion without the use of a solvent or mechanical force.
An earlier Dartmouth study was the first to identify how molecular solids can act as temporary adhesives. Now, they have discovered that the class of molecules that can be used to make these next-generation super glues is broader than previously thought. The Dartmouth team published their findings on November 26 in the academic journal Chemistry of Materials.
Nicholas Blelloch, the first author of the paper, said:
We’ve expanded the list of molecules that can be used as temporary adhesives. Identifying more materials to work with is important because it offers expanded design strategies for bonding surfaces together.
While these innovative adhesives most likely won’t be sold at a supermarket near you, they have high chances of finding their way in semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical design.
