Electroadhesive Conveying Surfaces

A system comprising:

• an electroadhesive conveyor belt including (i) an outer surface, (ii) an inner surface, (iii) one or more electrodes arranged between the inner and outer surfaces, and (iv) one or more conductive terminals situated along the inner surface and electrically connected to corresponding ones of the one or more electrodes;
• a power supply configured to electrically connect to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive conveyor belt via the one or more conductive terminals;
• a driving system configured to cause the electroadhesive conveyor belt to circulate such that the outer surface of the electroadhesive conveyor belt moves along a predetermined track;
• and
• a controller configured to control the power supply to apply a voltage to the one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive conveyor belt to thereby cause the electroadhesive conveyor belt to adhere to an item disposed on the outer surface such that the item resists moving with respect to the outer surface.

A method comprising:

• applying a voltage to one or more electrodes in an electroadhesive platform to thereby cause the electroadhesive platform to adhere to an item disposed on the electroadhesive platform;
• moving the electroadhesive platform while applying the voltage, such that the item substantially tracks a path of the electroadhesive platform;
• and
• reducing the voltage applied to the one or more electrodes such that the item moves with respect to the electroadhesive platform.