Recent innovations in adhesive technology

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an insight into recent innovations in adhesive technology by considering a selection of commercial developments and academic research activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this paper first discusses a selection of commercially developed adhesives used in the healthcare, photovoltaics and aerospace industries. It then considers biomimetic adhesive research, specifically dry adhesives which mimic the principles of gecko adhesion and wet adhesives based on the chemistry which underpins mussel adhesion. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn.

Findings

This shows that new adhesives continue to be developed to meet a growing range of industrial requirements, and a major research effort into biologically inspired adhesion mechanisms is poised to yield new families of high-performance adhesives.

Originality/value

This provides details of recent commercial and academic developments in adhesive technology.

Citation

Bogue, R. (2015), "Recent innovations in adhesive technology", Assembly Automation, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 201-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/AA-10-2014-081