Nano tape, also called gecko tape (marketed under the names Insanity Tape or Alien Tape) is a synthetic adhesive tape consisting of arrays of carbon nanotubes transferred onto a backing material of flexible polymer tape. These arrays are called synthetic setae and mimic the nanostructures found on the toes of a gecko; this is an example of biomimicry. The adhesion is achieved not with chemical adhesives, but via van der Waals forces, which are weak electric forces generated between two atoms or molecules that are very close to each other. So far there is little evidence to support nano tape being recyclable in the same way as plastic bottles, but it is reusable. More data is needed to know how environmentally safe nano tape is.[1][2]
- ^ Bourzacarchive, Katherine (2008-10-09). "Sticky Nanotape". MIT Technology Review.
- ^ Nanowerk News (2019-07-10). "Carbon nanotube tape stays sticky in extreme temperatures". Nanowerk Newsletter. American Chemical Society.