Brains On! Science podcast for kids How do stickers stick?
Jan 27, 2026
Philip Messersmith, a materials scientist and professor at UC Berkeley, talks about the science behind adhesives and medical patches. Short segments explain how glue fills microscopic bumps and why pressure helps stickers stick. There’s a dive into scratch-and-sniff tech and the challenges of making stickers that work inside the body.
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How Sticker Glue Works Up Close
- Sticker glue is made of long adhesive molecules that balance flowing like a liquid and staying put like a solid.
- That balance lets the glue fill microscopic bumps then remain lodged to hold the sticker firmly.
Press To Make Stickers Stick Better
- Press stickers firmly to force adhesive molecules into surface nooks and crannies for stronger hold.
- The more you press, the deeper the adhesive flows and the better the sticker sticks.
Where Scratch-And-Sniff Smell Comes From
- Scratch-and-sniff stickers hold smell in tiny capsules on the non-sticky side of the sticker paper.
- Scratching breaks capsules and releases scent molecules, so repeated scratches yield more smell over time.
