Scientists from the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) have created a new intelligent adhesive material that significantly enhances grip when an electric current is applied. This material opens up broad possibilities for use in microchip manufacturing, soft robotics, and high-precision assembly.
Researchers at NPU in Xi'an developed a material capable of increasing adhesion strength by more than 400 times after applying an electrical charge. When activated, a thin sheet of this material can securely hold a 5-kilogram dumbbell, whereas traditional analogues barely manage a fraction of that weight.
This fundamental breakthrough is highly significant for fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, soft robotics, precision assembly, and advanced production. The material functions by altering the properties of surface adhesion in response to electrical stimulation. When current passes through it, its molecular structure reconfigures to maximize the contact area between the surface and intermolecular forces with the object.
After the current is turned off, the material reverts to a low-adhesion state, allowing the object to be detached without residue. Professor Zhu Jihun, who led this research, describes the material as an intelligent gripper that can flexibly deform and provide strong grip on demand.
Potential areas of use cover numerous high-tech industries. In semiconductor manufacturing, this material could allow handling of wafers without mechanical marks or contamination. In soft robotics, electrically switchable adhesion enables robots to grasp and release objects of various shapes and weights without needing complex mechanical grippers. For precision assembly tasks, it is suitable for placing microcomponents where vacuum or mechanical methods might damage fragile parts.
The material's ability to adhere to uneven surfaces while maintaining a strong grip makes it particularly suitable for working with components of complex geometry.
The achievement by NPU is part of a broader acceleration of innovation in China's materials science sector. In recent months, Jinan city in Shandong province has begun mass production of new electronic resins that reduce energy consumption in AI server data transmission by 40%, and new world-class carbon fiber production lines for use in wind turbines, electric vehicles, and humanoid robots have been commissioned in Jiangsu province.
China's materials industry ecosystem has transformed into the largest and most comprehensive in the world. According to industry data, China has commercialized products made from new materials worth over 550 billion yuan, established the most complete materials industry covering all major categories globally, reached a production volume of nearly 10 trillion yuan in this sector, and holds high rankings in over 100 specific material categories.
An alternative to steel reinforcement has emerged in the modern construction industry. Fiber-reinforced, or plastic rebar, is actively used in many places. The question arises whether plastic rebar can be stronger than steel, how economical it is, and what the price difference is.
Plastic rebar is known as GFRP rebar, which stands for Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer. Simply put, plastic rebar is made from a strong mixture of glass fibers and resin. Due to its strong adhesion and strength, its use in construction is rapidly growing.
Compared to TMT steel rebar, plastic rebar has several advantages. Firstly, it is not susceptible to corrosion. Secondly, it is significantly lighter, which simplifies transportation and application. It is believed that its strength is twice that of steel. Furthermore, it is more durable than iron and can retain its properties for 80–100 years even when in contact with moisture.
Another advantage is the lack of risk of electric shock. However, plastic rebar has a drawback: it is not flexible. Therefore, its application is limited to vertical structures. GFRP rebar is used in the construction of bridges, drainage systems, barriers, and other objects.
When comparing prices, plastic rebar is more expensive than steel both by tonnage and by piece. Nevertheless, due to its lower mass, a larger quantity of plastic rebar is required to achieve the same structure. If we consider the price per kilogram, plastic rebar will cost more, but by weight, it turns out to be more economical. For example, if TMT steel costs 40 thousand rupees per ton, GFRP rebar will cost 100 thousand rupees per ton, but the volume of plastic rebar in one ton may be twice as much or slightly more than that of steel rebar.
