Anatomy

Nanotechnology

Adaptability

Biological system

Nanostructure

Sucker

Mathematics

Surface finish

Biology

Mathematics education

Actuator

Computational chemistry

Microscale chemistry

Artificial intelligence

Composite material

Biomimetics

Soft robotics

Chemistry

Ecology

Materials science

Nanopillar

octopus (software)

Computer science

Adhesion

Soft materials

Advanced Science

Bioinspired soft devices, which possess high adaptability to targeted objects, provide promising solutions for a variety of industrial and medical applications. However, achieving stable and switchable attachment to objects with curved, rough, and irregular surfaces remains difficult, particularly in dry and underwater environments. Here, a highly adaptive soft microstructured switchable adhesion device is presented, which is inspired by the geometric and material characteristics of the tiny denticles on the surface of an octopus sucker. The contact interface of the artificial octopus sucker (AOS) is imprinted with soft, microscale denticles that interact adaptably with highly rough or curved surfaces. Robust and controllable attachment of the AOS with soft microdenticles (AOS‐sm) to dry and wet surfaces with diverse morphologies is achieved, allowing conformal attachment on curved and soft objects with high roughness. In addition, AOS‐sms assembled with an octopus‐arm‐inspired soft actuator demonstrate reliable grasping and the transport of complex polyhedrons, rough objects, and soft, delicate, slippery biological samples.

Soft Microdenticles on Artificial Octopus Sucker Enable Extraordinary Adaptability and Wet Adhesion on Diverse Nonflat Surfaces