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. Practical test with a brick – robust and sustainableTo demonstrate the tape’s resilience, the researchers sealed boxes with conventional and Kirigami adhesive tape. Kirigami adhesive tape could also be used in industrial applications that require strong adhesive bonds that can be removed without leaving residue.