Hsia

The NTU research team, led by Professor K Jimmy Hsia, found a way to maximise the adhesion of the smart adhesives by using shape-memory polymers, which can stick and detach easily when needed simply by heating them.

Professor Hsia added: "The shape-memory polymer adhesives we designed overcome both the adhesion paradox and the switchability conflict, providing guidelines for developing stronger and more switchable adhesives adaptable to rough surfaces."

The statement did not say whether Hsia would be meeting any high-ranking Chinese officials.

The Nationalists said Hsia was due to visit cities including Chengdu, Nanchang, Zhongshan, Xiamen, and Chongqing on what it termed a listening tour.

In a news release Thursday, the party — also known as the Kuomintang or KMT — said vice chair Andrew Hsia and his delegation departed for China on Wednesday at the invitation of Taiwanese businesspeople.