Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy
Published on: January 29, 2022
Adhesion design maps for fibrillar adhesives: the effect of shape
Christian Greiner1, Ralph Spolenak, Eduard Arzt
1Max Planck Institute for Metals Research, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany. greiner@mf.mpg.de
Abstract:
The biomimetic reproduction of adhesion organs, as found in flies, beetles and geckoes, has become a topic of intense research over the past years. Successes, however, have so far been limited. This is due to the vast range of parameters involved, including fibril size, elastic modulus, contact shape, surface roughness and ambient humidity. In previous studies, design and materials selection charts to determine the optimum materials and design combination for dry adhesive systems have been established. The effect of shape on the adhesive properties of single fibers and fiber arrays has also been a research focus. In this paper both approaches are combined to provide more advanced guidelines for the design of optimal adhesive structures.
Related Concept Videos
Adhesion
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow glass...
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Anchoring Junctions
Cell Adhesion in Plants
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...

