Partial wrinkle generation for switchable attachment and high adhesion hysteresis

Abstract

In this communication, we present a simple and robust switchable dry adhesion system by using PDMS wrinkled-gecko surface. The PDMS substrate with gecko-inspired wide-tip arrays is a wrinkled area generated by UVO exposure using a shadow mask. The fabricated PDMS wrinkled-gecko device shows high dry adhesion hysteresis on a targeted surface. In the experiments, the difference of adhesion force of wrinkled PDMS surface between adhesion on and off modes increases with longer UVO treatment time. Also, it has durability with mechanical robustness without any defect or decrease in adhesion force even after 100 repeating cycles of the adhesion test. These remarkable properties can be used for precise, green-environmental transporting system with various applications in commercial and research areas.