Bio-inspired Composite Microfibers for Strong and Reversible Adhesion on Smooth Surfaces

A novel approach for high-performance gecko-inspired adhesives for strong and reversible adhesion to smooth surfaces is proposed. The composite patterns comprising elastomeric mushroom-shaped microfibers decorated with an extremely soft and thin terminal layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Through the optimal tip shape and improved load sharing, the adhesion performance was greatly enhanced. A high adhesion strength of 300 kPa together with superior durability on smooth surfaces are achieved, outperforming monolithic fibers by 35 times. Our concept of composite microfibrillar adhesives provides significant benefits for real world applications including wearable medical devices, transfer printing systems, and robotic manipulation.