Glue That Only Hardens When Voltage Is Applied

It seems like using this type of glue underwater or in the human body would be a bit difficult considering it hardens when voltage is applied.

A team from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University is coming at it from a slightly different angle by developing a glue that hardens when an electrical charge is applied. As the team's lead scientist Professor Terry Steele points out, most glues don't work when they're wet, in the same way that sticky tape won't stick to a wet surface because the adhesive will stick to the water rather than the surface. Steele and his team have been at work for more than a year, crafting a new form of adhesive that can perform its job in wet conditions, such as underwater or in the human body.

This could work out to be a pretty smart invention. Low voltage DC power wouldn't be a problem under water. Might make some bubbles on the electrodes though

Pretty awesome, lets you set up everything that you want, not worrying about having to work too fast then zap it with a tazer and insta glue!

How is this any different than say a UV cured adhesive? One requires voltage, the other requires UV light. To me that is a distinction without a difference.

Methadras said:

How is this any different than say a UV cured adhesive? One requires voltage, the other requires UV light. To me that is a distinction without a difference.

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Perhaps they can achieve a different curing effect.

Methadras said:

How is this any different than say a UV cured adhesive? One requires voltage, the other requires UV light. To me that is a distinction without a difference.

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UV doesn't penetrate water so well

Methadras said:

How is this any different than say a UV cured adhesive? One requires voltage, the other requires UV light. To me that is a distinction without a difference.

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How does UV penetrate multiple layers, and cure adhesive underwater? These are completely different technologies.

UV light needs a straight short path to move the radiant energy to where it can concentrate in a single point. wave by it's very nature scatters like look up mie scattering. it is how come the sky is blue sorta. your head will hurt if you think about it though. current on the other hand circles toward the strongest point of magnetism following elliptical paths. so if the water is bouncing and moving it can still arc toward the point. That said they make tape and adhesives that work fine underwater. the issue usually is making more permanent connections between dissimilar objects like plastic to metal or smooth surfaces that can not be textured by an abrasive object. pretty much when you get stuck with paying someone to risk dying to get an underwater wielding kit below water. thus guys make a lot of money but have their air source near where they are wield which can explosively decompress if the pressure shift in the tank is too great due to the change from very cold water to very warm water.

Steve said:

It seems like using this type of glue underwater or in the human body would be a bit difficult considering it hardens when voltage is applied.

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Actually, underwater welding is pretty common. Path of least resistance and all, tends to keep underwater welders pretty safe. Arguably, this would require much less amperage, making it even safer.