Electronically reversible adhesive methods

A method of decoupling an adhesive system, having a full adhesive strength in a de-energized state, from a contact surface of an object, wherein the adhesive system comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, each having a first end region, coupled to the backing, and a second end region, opposite the first end region, and charged nanoparticles, each coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:

• electrically charging the backing to create an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles so that the full adhesive strength of the adhesive system is decreased to a reduced adhesive strength;
• and
• disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface by applying to the adhesive system a disengagement force, sufficient to overcome the reduced adhesive strength;
• and
• wherein the backing comprises a conductive layer that is electrically isolated from the carbon nanotubes.

A method of decoupling an adhesive system, having a full adhesive strength in a de-energized state, from a contact surface of an object, wherein the adhesive system comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, each having a first end region, coupled to the backing, and a second end region, opposite the first end region, and charged nanoparticles, each coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:

• electrically charging the backing to create an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles so that the full adhesive strength of the adhesive system is decreased to a reduced adhesive strength;
• and
• disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface by applying to the adhesive system a disengagement force, sufficient to overcome the reduced adhesive strength;
• and
• wherein the backing comprises an insulating layer.

A method of decoupling an adhesive system, having a full adhesive strength in a de-energized state, from a contact surface of an object, wherein the adhesive system comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, each having a first end region, coupled to the backing, and a second end region, opposite the first end region, and charged nanoparticles, each coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:

• electrically charging the backing to create an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles so that the full adhesive strength of the adhesive system is decreased to a reduced adhesive strength;
• and
• disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface by applying to the adhesive system a disengagement force, sufficient to overcome the reduced adhesive strength;
• and
• wherein:
• each of the charged nanoparticles has a nanoparticle net electrical charge and an insulating shell to electrically isolate the nanoparticle net electrical charge at least from the carbon nanotubes, and
• the insulating shell of each of the charged nanoparticles comprises one or more of dielectric material, semiconductor material, glass, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, surfactant, or polymeric material.