Chemical structures of fluoro-crown ether phosphate with one (CyclicFP-fmoc), two (CyclicFP-fmoc2), and three (CyclicFP-fmoc3) fmoc groups, fluoro-crown ether diphosphate (CyclicFDP-fmoc2), nonfluoro-crown ether phosphate (CyclicP-fmoc), and fluorinated acyclic phosphate (AcyclicFP-fmoc). (Left) Photo of PTFE plates, without surface treatment or cleaning, adhered by CyclicFP-fmoc, with a contact area of 7 cm2 , supporting a weight of 8 kg. Credit: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2026). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c07886
In a research lab at the University of Tokyo, scientists have developed a new kind of glue. It's incredibly strong and highly stretchable, yet it washes away completely with a little alcohol.
Materials scientists have long been on the hunt for a strong glue that is also easily removable. The reason is that when it comes to adhesive strength and flexibility, there is often a trade-off. Although strong glues have an incredible grip, they are often brittle and difficult to remove without leaving residue. Weak glues, on the other hand, are easy to remove, but they aren't strong enough for demanding jobs.
This new glue is so strong that it can even bond to nonstick surfaces like Teflon, but all it takes is a little washing with ethanol to completely remove it without leaving any residue.
