From strong to switchable adhesion: Gecko-inspired design strategies and practical applications

Adhesion exists widely in nature and engineering. With the rapid development of flexible electronics, soft robotics, and intelligent manufacturing, the exclusive pursuit of strong adhesion has proven inadequate for diverse applications. Therefore, switchable adhesion technologies that allow rapid and reversible transition between strong attachment and easy detachment have emerged as a research frontier. Inspired by geckos, research on bioinspired dry adhesive materials has advanced steadily in recent years, encompassing adhesion mechanics, structural design, switchable adhesion strategies, and practical applications. Particularly in the switchable adhesion strategies, two main approaches have been proposed: one relies on external stimuli—light, thermal, electric, magnetic, or mechanical—to reversibly modulate adhesion strength; the other exploits inclined or asymmetric structural designs to induce switchable adhesion. In this review, the development of gecko-inspired adhesive materials from strong to switchable adhesion is systematically examined, alongside recent applications in wearable electronics, crawling robots, and precision manufacturing. Finally, the future development of switchable adhesive materials, as well as the associated challenges and opportunities in their applications, is discussed.