Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a hybrid patch technology that promises to prevent cracks while maintaining adhesion without using chemical adhesives.

With possible applications in wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) equipment and the health care industry, the so-called "programmable meta patch" reportedly prevents cracking over both small and large areas.

Fabrication of crack-trapping hybrid adhesive patch. Source: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adq3438

According to its developers, the hybrid patches exhibit adhesion that is 70 times stronger than traditional adhesives thanks to the incorporation of hexagonal pillars, tip structures and nonlinear cutting designs. Because this design does not require the use of chemical adhesives, the new patches minimize skin irritation, are reusable and offer crack prevention across a range of surface sizes — from micro-scale to macro-scale.

Further, because the adhesive patch design is inspired by nature as well as kirigami, which is a variation of origami, adhesion can be adjusted as necessary.

"Existing skin adhesion technologies in bio-health care and wearable devices often cause skin irritation due to chemical adhesives and are difficult to reuse," noted Professor Jeong. "Our reusable adhesion technology significantly reduces skin irritation by applying directional adhesion while maintaining strong adhesion."

An article detailing the patch, “Multiscale crack trapping for programmable adhesives,” appears in the journal Science Advances.