Paper project · In preparation

Insect Tarsus-Inspired Variable-Stiffness Adhesion for Extreme Space Manipulation

Manuscript in preparation

First author

Yu Xiang, et al.

Funding: Beijing Nova Program (No. 20240484712)

Overview

How can an adhesive end effector combine compliant contact and load-bearing stiffness while tolerating thermal cycling and radiation?

Insect tarsal attachment and detachment sequence.

My Work

Adhesive mechanism

Investigate tarsal attachment and detachment to guide rigid-flexible coupling, directional adhesion and active release.

Design and validation

Develop the adhesive structures and evaluate performance under extreme-environment conditions as part of the broader controllable-adhesion project.

Manuscript

Prepare a paper on the insect-inspired variable-stiffness mechanism and its application to extreme space manipulation.

Tarsal structure and attachment mechanisms

The research uses insect tarsi as a model for conformal contact, load transfer and controlled detachment.

**Fig. 1.** Biological model shown in the research presentation.Presentation PDF · page 22

**Fig. 2.** Tarsal anatomy illustrating the structures relevant to contact and attachment.Presentation PDF · page 22

Adhesive material approach

These chemical-structure figures document the material approach in the earlier research plan. They are not measurements of thermal or radiation performance.

**Fig. 3.** Silicone modification schemes included in the material study.Presentation PDF · page 22

**Fig. 4.** Additional chemical structures used as supporting material references.Presentation PDF · page 22

Current Status

Manuscript in preparation. The related research project has completed thermal-cycling and gamma-irradiation adhesion tests.