Collaborate Disseminate
[Teaching Tech’s] latest video discusses “3D printed Velcro.” But as even he admits, Velcro is a trademark, so we think it is more appropriate to talk about hook and loop …read more Continue reading 3D Printed — Um — Hook and Loop Fasteners
Scientists at the Italian Institute of Technology have developed what they describe as the first biodegradable version of Velcro. While it won’t keep your shoes on, the material can be harmlessly attached to plants for the purposes of environmental mon… Continue reading Biodegradable take on velcro latches on like a parasitic climbing plant
Let’s face it: pretty much everything about e-textiles is fiddly. If wearables were easy, more people would probably work in that space. But whereas most circuit prototyping is done in …read more Continue reading Flexible Prototyping for E-Textiles That Doesn’t Cost an Arm and a Leg
The hooks in so-called “hook-and-loop” fastening materials (such as Velcro) are usually quite stiff, meaning they may damage other materials as they’re pulled apart from them. Such is not the case, however, with a new mushroom-inspired alternative.Cont… Continue reading Mushroom-inspired fastener is kinder and gentler than Velcro
As a species, we’ve done a pretty good job at inventing some useful devices. But as clever as we think we are, given sufficient time, natural selection will beat us at our game at almost every turn. So it makes sense that many of our best inventions are inspired by nature and the myriad ways life finds to get DNA from one generation to the next.
Velcro is one such design cribbed from nature, and the story behind this useful mechanism is a perfect example that a prepared mind, good observation skills, and a heck of a lot of perseverance …read more
Remember the 1980s, when velcro sneakers were the hip new thing? Only the coolest kids in school had a fresh pair of Zips. Velcro left a bit to be desired though. The hooks and loops would wear out, and the sneakers always seemed to pop apart at the worst possible moments — like when running or jumping. These days, velcro seems to be relegated to the elderly, which gives it the stigma of “old people shoes”.
So what is an aspiring hacker to do, just tie their shoelaces like a simple plebe? [Pentland_Designs] has the answer with his shoelace locks. …read more
Continue reading Shoelace Locks Keep your Fancy Footwear Firmly Attached
The latest wearable from MIT’s Fluid Interfaces group wants to write information on your body movements. Continue reading Wave Emojis at Your Friends with Velcro LEDs