Scientists Have Redesigned Velcro To Be Quieter And With Less Wear & Tear
Image via Preeti Sharma / American Institute of Physics
Velcro might be one of the most useful inventions yet, but it’s not the best option when you’re in a theater and attempting to gingerly get a snack out of your bag.
Scientists at Wageningen University from the Netherlands have invented a fastening system that’s quieter and won’t damage fabrics as much. The material is, surprisingly, inspired by the way mushrooms look.
According to a report by Gizmodo, the original Velcro—a term trademarked to represent the configuration of small hooks and loops that come together to adhere two surfaces—was developed by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in 1941 as he got curious about why there were burrs stuck onto his clothes during a walk in the woods.
Despite the material’s ease of use in everyday applications, it can get a little noisy when pulled apart. Further, the hard plastic that typically makes up Velcro can damage more delicate fabrics over time. It is this plastic that causes the loud tearing sound when Velcro is unfastened.
The researchers discovered that by 3D-printing less rigid models with tiny mushroom-like structures, the molds gripped onto fabrics just as well as usual hook-and-loop fasteners, but came without the wear and tear.
The molds, which are made up of structures of half-spheres with stems, are printed on more flexible plastic, softening the friction between surfaces and thus reducing noise.
Aside from serving a purpose on garments and other everyday objects, the fastening system might be useful in areas like the military and agriculture, where robot grippers may be used.
The new models could also potentially create a new tier of soft robotics mimicking animal movements. They can, for example, be used to help replicate how geckos walk on walls and ceilings.
The team also fathoms that the design can be improved for greater durability by tweaking the mushroom shape and stem size.
[via Gizmodo, cover image via Preeti Sharma / American Institute of Physics]
Also check out these recent news
