The innovative medical devices that improve patients’ quality of life require robust materials that meet specific manufacturing and end-use demands. Many medical devices for use in or on the body are assembled from multiple components that need secure and reliable seals. That makes it critical for medical device manufacturers to make the right choice when selecting an adhesive.

Safety head gear is a requirement for everyone who participates in numerous sports (football, baseball, hockey), professions (law enforcement, military, construction) and activities, such as motorcycle riding.

Every action in life involves a trade-off: The gaining of one benefit at the expense of another, to best meet the needs of the situation at hand. When the situation involves high-volume bonding, sealing or gasketing, manufacturers rely on UV-cure adhesives because they allow on-demand and quick curing (1 to 5 seconds after light exposure).

Whether it’s an automotive application or an electronics application, engineers are increasingly looking for adhesives that offer high performance at high temperatures.

Once a lagging market segment, automotive electronics has gained significant importance in recent years, as the industry, the culture and consumer expectations have changed. Safety and regulatory requirements for vehicles have increased, manufacturers have new warranty requirements, and what used to be “luxury” features are now expected to come standard with a new car.

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Researchers at MIT have developed a 3D-printed robotic hand made out of silicone rubber that can lift and handle objects as delicate as an egg and as thin as a compact disc.

Thanks to a new technology, silicone joins the growing list of materials for additive manufacturing.

Faster curing and application-specific formulations expand silicone adhesives’ impressive list of assembly benefits.