The MagZip is an invention that will have everyone scratching their heads and asking “Now why didn’t I think of that?” It eliminates the maddening process of matching up exactly the ends of a zipper before zipping it up. Invented by Scott Peters, the zipper was inspired by a relative who has problems with fine motor skills such as fitting the flat end of the zipper into the zipper pull.

The newly-redesigned zipper uses powerful magnets to pull the two sides together. The two pieces interlock and are held tightly by the magnets, giving the user just enough leverage and weight to move the zipper pull all the way to the top.

It may not seem like a life-altering invention, but the MagZip could feel like a miracle for people who were unable to use zippers. Conditions like arthritis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and many others can cause hands to shake or lose strength or dexterity, resigning people with these conditions to avoid zippers altogether.

The MagZip’s inventor brainstormed, talked over the idea, and went through plenty of prototypes, knowing that he was onto something promising. At the same time, apparel company Under Armour was looking for innovative new features to incorporate into their garments. They picked up the idea and refined it into the slick iteration you see today. From November 2013, Under Armour garments will be made using the MagZip.

The post Zip it: Innovative Magnetic Zipper Needs Only One Hand first appeared on Gajitz.

Velcro is one of those inventions that most of us take for granted. Although it’s useful and really quite interesting when you understand how it works, it’s probably not the most exciting thing you’ll contemplate today. A team of German engineers has made huge strides in making Velcro (or at least something resembling Velcro) more interesting. Their metal fastener, called Metaklett, is basically super-strong metal hook-and-loop fastener.

Metaklett can withstand temperatures in excess of 800 degrees Celsius, and is not bothered by most chemical solutions. Its adhesive strength tops 35 tons per square meter when force is applied parallel to the surface of the fastener. The adhesive strength is 7 tons per square meter when the pressure is perpendicular to the surface of the fastener. But even more impressive is the fact that, like traditional plastic Velcro, it can be used over and over again.

Two models of Metaklett have been developed: duck’s head and Flamingo. The difference between the two is the shape of the “hook” element. Traditional plastic Velcro is used in countless applications, from clothing and toys to securing equipment in aircraft. The downfall of the material has always been that it is simply too weak for some uses. Metaklett is the first fastener to combine the ease of use and reusability of Velcro with the extreme strength and durability of steel.

The post “Steel Velcro” Super-Strong Fastener Holds 35-Ton Loads first appeared on Gajitz.