Switchable Adhesion on Curved Surfaces Mimicking the Coordination of Radial-Oriented Spatular Tips and Motion of Gecko Toes

Abstract

Bio-inspired structured adhesives have promising applications in many fields, like biomedicine, robotics, and aerospace. However, achieving robust and switchable adhesion in structured adhesives on non-planar surfaces remains highly challenging. Inspired by the gripping and rolling motions of gecko toes, a strong and switchable adhesive, which comprises a pillar array with radial-oriented spatular tips and is named as PROST, is developed. PROST possesses a robust adhesion on flat surfaces and doubles its adhesion on curved surfaces. Moreover, in situ and fast adhesion switching of PROST on flat/curved surfaces in dry and wet conditions has been realized by solvent stimulation, mimicking the bending locomotion of gecko toes. The work here provides a new strategy for designing controllable adhesion on curved substrates.