Inspired by kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting, engineers have designed a friction-boosting material that could be used to coat the bottoms of shoes, giving them a stronger grip on ice and other slippery surfaces.

Kirigami, a variation of origami that involves cutting paper as well as folding it, was used to create a friction-boosting material that could be used to coat shoe bottoms, giving them a stronger grip on ice and other slippery surfaces. (Credit: Diemut Strebe)

Kirigami, a variation of origami that involves cutting paper as well as folding it, was used to create the coating. Laboratory tests showed that when people wearing kirigami-coated shoes walked on an icy surface, they generated more friction than the uncoated shoes. Incorporating this coating into shoes could help prevent dangerous falls on ice and other hazardous surfaces.

Some scientists have recently used kirigami to develop new materials such as bandages that stick more securely to knees and other joints as well as sensors that can be used to coat the skin of soft robots and help them orient themselves in space. In this case, the team applied this approach to create intricate patterns of spikes in a sheet of plastic or metal. These sheets, applied to the sole of a shoe, remain flat while the wearer is standing but the spikes pop out during the natural movement of walking.

The researchers created and tested several different designs including repeating patterns of spikes shaped like squares, triangles, or curves. For each shape, they also tested different sizes and arrangements and they cut the patterns into both plastic sheets and stainless steel. For each of the designs, they measured the stiffness and the angle at which the spikes pop out when the material is stretched.

They also measured the friction generated by each design on a variety of surfaces including ice, wood, vinyl flooring, and artificial turf. They found that all of the designs boosted friction, with the best results produced by a pattern of concave curves. They then used the concave curve coatings for tests with human volunteers. They attached the coatings to various types of shoes, including sneakers and winter boots, and measured the friction produced when subjects walked across a force plate — an instrument that measures the forces exerted on the ground — covered with a 1"-thick layer of ice.

They found that with the kirigami coatings attached, the amount of friction generated was 20 to 35 percent higher than the friction generated by the shoes alone.

They are now working on determining the best way to attach and incorporate the kirigami surfaces. They are considering embedding them into the soles or designing them as a separate element that could be attached when needed.

For more information, contact Abby Abazorius at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 617-253-2709.