The invention concerns a method for controlling the adhesive bond between an electric-field responsive material and a substrate, which method comprises using an electric field to control the strength and integrity of the adhesive bond. The method may be used, for example, for removing or delaminating a material, which material is responsive to an electric field, from a substrate. The invention further comprises elimination of the application of the electric field and application of the previously removed electric-field-responsive material to the substrate, thereby resuming the strength and integrity of the adhesive bond. The invention includes apparatus for use in the bond controlling process.