Tuesday, February 27, 2007

US 7181811 - Nanotube velcro

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7181811.pdf

This patent proposes the formation of bent or otherwise mis-shapen nanotubes to provide an adhesive fastening surfaces. Hopefully, they will be less annoying than velcro. Claim 1 reads:

1. A microfastening system comprising: a first fastening element including a plurality of extending nanotubes; and a second fastening element including a plurality of extending nanotubes; wherein the fastening elements comprise a substrate including an attachment surface and a plurality of functionalized non-linear nanotubes, the non-linear nanotubes of the first and second fastening elements each having a first end and a second end, the non-linear nanotubes of the first and second fastening elements each being attached at the first end to and extending from said attachment surface, wherein the second end is free of the surface.

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