Dear Readers,

In terms of automation, a lot has happened in adhesive bonding technology recently, which significantly reduces the workload of chemists. For example, new adhesive formulations can now be produced fully automatically and material samples can be generated in order to carry out comprehensive test series with reproducible results. In this issue, we show what such a system might look like and how it can speed up the market launch of new adhesive formulations.

While the temperatures are gradually dropping, the next ski season is just around the corner. Up on the slopes, just before you hit the trails, have you ever thought about how many different materials your skis are actually made of? Neither have we! So it's high time to take a look at the material and, above all, the adhesive side of winter sports. A typical ski consists of wood, aluminum, steel and polymers. To achieve a reliable interlaminar bond between these fundamentally different materials, multilayer adhesive films are essential. These also make the skis more robust against moisture and temperature fluctuations and increase their service life.

Finally, we will also present the results of a new study on low-pain wound care, which shows that even strongly adhesive silicones can be gently fixed and then easily removed. In addition, these skin adhesives can also be used to fasten medical devices and detach them again without causing the patient any pain.

I wish you an interesting read.

Yours

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Leyla Buchholz Editor-in-Chief