The researchers from the INM will be presenting their results from 13 to 17 April 2015 at the Hannover Messe in the context of the leading trade fair for R & D and Technology Transfer.

"Artificially produced microscopic pillars, so-called gecko structures, adhere to various items. By manipulating these pillars, the adhesion can be switched on and off. Thus, items can be lifted and released quickly and precisely," Karsten Moh from the Program Division Functional Microstructures explains. "This technique is particularly interesting in vacuum, as suction cups fail there," says Moh. With the currently developed adhesion system, adhesive forces of more than 1 Newton per square centimeter can be achieved on smooth surfaces." In our tests, the system has proved successful even after 100,000 cycles," the upscaling expert Moh says. Even slightly rough surfaces can be handled reliably.

The developers now focus on increasing the adhesion force to lift and release large components and heavy materials in an energy-efficient way. Furthermore the development group works on the gripping of objects with curved surfaces without leaving residues. Additionally, the scientists also focus on developing other triggers for switching the adhesion like light, magnetic field, electric field or changes in temperature.