Bioinspired multiscale adaptive suction on complex dry surfaces enhanced by regulated water secretion

Area of Science:

• Biomimetics and Soft Robotics
• Adhesion Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Biological suction offers robust adhesion on diverse surfaces, a capability challenging for artificial systems.
• Existing artificial suction cups struggle with dry, complex, and rough surfaces.
• Biological sucker adhesion may involve both mechanical deformation and mucus secretion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multiscale suction mechanism mimicking biological strategies for enhanced adhesion.
• To achieve strong and adaptive suction on dry, complex, and rough surfaces.
• To explore applications in soft robotics and versatile soft adhesion.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a multiscale suction mechanism combining mechanical conformation and regulated water sealing.
• Utilized multilayer soft materials for initial substrate conformation, reducing aperture size to micrometers.
• Integrated an artificial fluidic system for regulated water secretion to seal remaining micro-apertures.

Main Results:

• Successfully achieved strong adaptive suction on highly curved and rough dry surfaces like stone.
• Demonstrated long suction longevity with minimal fluid overflow on complex surfaces.
• Validated practical application as a robotic gripper across various challenging dry surfaces.

Conclusions:

• The multiscale suction mechanism effectively bridges the gap between biological adhesion and artificial suction.
• This approach offers a powerful strategy for versatile soft adhesion on difficult substrates.
• The findings hold significant potential for advancing soft robotics and adhesion technologies.