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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles

Published on: February 4, 2013

Switchable origami adhesives.

Wathsala M A Jayawardana¹, Theresa Elder², Timothy Twohig¹

¹Department of Physics, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA. andrew.croll@ndsu.edu.

|April 22, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed switchable adhesives inspired by geckos, using origami designs to control adhesion. These reusable adhesives offer tunable on/off states for versatile applications.

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Biomimetics
Adhesion Science

Background:

Developing reusable adhesives with controllable adhesion (on/off states) is a long-standing challenge.
Geckos exhibit remarkable adhesion control through specialized microstructures on their digits, enabling strong attachment and easy detachment.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate origami-inspired designs for creating switchable adhesives.
To explore how geometric configurations influence adhesive performance and detachability.

Main Methods:

Fabricated three origami designs (Kresling, Waterbomb, Ron Resch) in polycarbonate.
Utilized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) adhesive pads to control interface properties and adhesion levels.
Investigated the transition between stiff (on-state) and flexible (off-state) configurations.

Main Results:

Achieved moderate switching ratios (force on/force off) up to approximately 50.
Demonstrated that origami geometries can transition between states of high and low adhesion.
Showcased the potential for tuning performance through size, adhesive strength, and pattern repetition.

Conclusions:

Origami design principles offer a viable approach for creating switchable adhesives.
The developed systems provide a tunable platform for controllable adhesion.
Further optimization through geometric scaling and material selection can enhance performance for various applications.