Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Advances in Biomimetics: Patents from Nature.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Topological elastic liquid diode.

Science advances·2025
Same author

Nanosized Contact Enables Faster, Stronger, and Liquid-Saving Capillary Adhesion.

ACS nano·2025
Same author

Static Topographical Cue Combined with Dynamic Fluid Stimulation Enhances the Macrophage Extracellular Vesicle Yield and Therapeutic Potential for Bone Defects.

ACS nano·2025
Same author

Touch initiated on-demand adhesion on rough surfaces.

Materials horizons·2024
Same author

Additive Manufacturing Provides Infinite Possibilities for Self-Sensing Technology.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Controlled Strain of 3D Hydrogels under Live Microscopy Imaging
07:41

Controlled Strain of 3D Hydrogels under Live Microscopy Imaging

Published on: December 4, 2020

3.5K

Bioinspired Touch-Responsive Hydrogels for On-Demand Adhesion on Rough Surfaces.

Zhekun Shi1,2, Zhuo Wang1, Kangjian Xiao1

  • 1School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, The Institute of Technological Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 2, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a snail-mucus-inspired touch-responsive hydrogel (TRH) for robust adhesion on rough surfaces. This smart material offers on-demand attachment and detachment, inspired by natural processes.

Keywords:
bioinspiredphase change hydrogelrough surfacessurface adaptabilityswitchable adhesion

More Related Videos

Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy
12:26

Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy

Published on: January 29, 2022

5.7K
Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde
07:04

Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde

Published on: November 11, 2022

2.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Controlled Strain of 3D Hydrogels under Live Microscopy Imaging
07:41

Controlled Strain of 3D Hydrogels under Live Microscopy Imaging

Published on: December 4, 2020

3.5K
Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy
12:26

Control of Cell Adhesion using Hydrogel Patterning Techniques for Applications in Traction Force Microscopy

Published on: January 29, 2022

5.7K
Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde
07:04

Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde

Published on: November 11, 2022

2.4K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biomimetics
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Reversible adhesives are crucial for daily and industrial applications.
  • Achieving robust, switchable adhesion on rough surfaces remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel touch-responsive hydrogel (TRH) inspired by snail mucus.
  • To enable robust and switchable adhesion on rough surfaces with on-demand control.

Main Methods:

  • One-pot synthesis of a polymeric hydrogel incorporating saturated sodium acetate (NaAc).
  • Investigating the hydrogel's phase transition and adhesion properties triggered by touch and heat.

Main Results:

  • TRH exhibits amorphous and soft state at room temperature, conforming to rough surfaces.
  • Contact triggers NaAc crystallization, increasing modulus and achieving high adhesion (204.84 ± 53.98 kPa).
  • Heating induces a soft state for easy detachment (5.12 ± 1.34 kPa), with TRH ready for reuse.

Conclusions:

  • The developed TRH offers a biomimetic solution for robust, switchable adhesion on challenging surfaces.
  • TRH demonstrates potential applications in smart materials, including light-triggered adhesion, information encryption, and temperature sensing.