Memory Velcro

The Antarctic explorer steps out of the base camp's airlock, busily attaching strips of a metallic-looking fabric to his clothing. After a moment, the strips (which are attached to icepicks, radios, and other survival items) are firmly attached to the explorer's clothes. A strong, sharp tug will release the strips as needed.

How does this work? And why is it better than conventional Velcro? The hooks on the strips are composed of Martensite (memory metal), calibrated to remember two shapes: a straight, pin-like appearance when warm; a tight spiral when cold. As one steps from a warm environment (inside an Antarctic base) into the cold, the change in temperature begins to cause the Memory Velcro 'pins' to curl up into 'spirals'. Thus, as long as the 'pins' are held into the material to which they are intended to stick, they will grip as the temperature drops.

A small heater would be required to re-attach removed strips in cold conditions.

This material would be superior to current Velcro products owing mainly to its increased gripping power, excellent durability, and the ability to stick to any fibrous material capable of being penetrated by the 'pins'.