The device has a plate punctured with thousand of tiny holes about 150 microns in diameter each. A low-voltage pulse pushes fluid from a reservoir through these thanks to the so-called electro-osmotic flow process. The liquid then forms numerous bridges with another plate, which is held at a small distance by spacers. The stuck plate is held together without power and can be unstuck by another pulse, which makes the fluid return to the reservoir.

The combined force of many droplets’ surface tension is enough to hold the device itself plus a small weight totaling about 10 grams per square centimeter. This is not that impressive when compared with commercial adhesives, but the efficiency can be easily increased by scaling down the punctures and increasing their numbers. With holes downsized to 0.1 microns, the design will be able to hold 13 kilograms per square centimeter, Vogel and Steen estimate. The scientists believe the technology can be commercialized in five years.

This fluid adhesive mechanism differs from that used by geckos, which scientists are trying to duplicate as well. The small lizards climb vertical walls thanks to nanofibers covering their legs, which stick to a surface through Van der Waals forces.