News Production & Lab
Kirigami tape: high adhesion and residue-free removal thanks to Japanese paper cutting art
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a novel adhesive tape inspired by the traditional Japanese paper-folding art of kirigami. The result: significantly higher adhesive strength in one direction and effortless removal in the other – without leaving any residue.
Kirigami – the art of folding and cutting paper – has now found its way into the world of adhesive technology. Michael Bartlett’s team at Virginia Tech transferred the principle to an adhesive tape by lasering a fine pattern of rectangular, U-shaped incisions into it. The researchers found that if the tape is pulled in one direction, the adhesion increases by up to 60 times. In the opposite direction, however, the tape can be easily removed again.
This behaviour is based on the principle of reverse crack propagation, a phenomenon known from fracture mechanics. Instead of cracks spreading through tensile loading in the adhesive and losing adhesion, the energy is directed into certain areas of the tape, which strengthens the bond. In the opposite direction, the pattern unfolds so that the adhesive strip can be easily removed – without leaving any residue or damage.
Reading Tip: Adhesives and Sealants
The book Formulating Adhesives and Sealants provides a two-step approach to adhesive and sealant formulation. Each section begins with an overview of the application and chemical basis for the specific type, followed by formulation guidance and an analysis of existing recipes. This analysis includes step-by-step calculations of important characteristic values, making it accessible for beginners.
Practical test with a brick – robust and sustainable
To demonstrate the tape’s resilience, the researchers sealed boxes with conventional and Kirigami adhesive tape. They dropped bricks on both. The box secured with the modified tape held up even after five attempts, while the other failed after only the second attempt.
The technology promises a wide range of applications – from secure packaging in logistics and e-commerce to reusable packaging systems in the context of sustainable material cycles. Kirigami adhesive tape could also be used in industrial applications that require strong adhesive bonds that can be removed without leaving residue.
Sources: Hwang et al., Nature Materials, Volume 22, 2023.
