Part of why I love the job I perform is because I learn new things all the time, depending on the technology involved in a client's invention. And I also love learning really simple, fundamental, elegant laws about How Nature Works.

For example, today I learned that two clean, flat surfaces of similar metal will strongly adhere if brought into contact under vacuum. Despite its simplicity, this phenomenon wasn't really recognized until about 60 years ago. This is the basis of the practice of cold welding.

This means, of course, that I can build my robot army faster in space.