Adhesion and friction of a biomimetic mushroom-shaped fibrillar microstructure

Adhesion and friction of a novel biomimetic mushroom-shaped fibrillar microstructure were tested. The microstructure reveals approximately twice more effective adhesive properties than a control flat surface made of the same soft synthetic polymer. It also demonstrates smooth sliding with a friction coefficient approximately four times lower than that of the control surface which exhibits pronounced stick-slip motion. It appears that the new microstructure can be used in applications where a total attachment force needs to be generated in a binary on/off state and, most surprisingly, is suitable to stabilize and minimize elastomer friction.