A fastener with microscopic mushroom shapes could be as strong as Velcro but with less noise and less damage to other fabrics, researchers say. Velcro is great when you need to open stuff fast or with ease, but Velcro is not so great when you’re trying to discreetly open your shoulder bag to grab your headphones.

 .

Researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands have come up with a new design for Velcro, inspired by mushrooms, that doesn’t shred fabrics and is a lot quieter to tear apart. Velcro is the official trademarked term for the fastening system that uses tiny hooks and flexible loops to securely attach two surfaces to each other when they’re pressed together. It was invented by George de Mestral back in 1941 after researching why burrs stuck to his clothing during a walk in the woods.

 .

The material is generically referred to as hook-and-loop fasteners and while it is undoubtedly convenient it also has its drawbacks. Those small plastic loops can easily attach themselves to less durable fabrics, damaging the material when separated. It’s also not as quiet as zippers or buttons to unfasten as any adult who’s tried to unsuccessfully mitigate the loud […]

Click here to view original web page at gizmodo.com