A method for changing the stiffness of a structure comprising the steps of: activating a multilayer system in the structure, the multilayer system comprising: a first layer (12, 22) comprising a reversible adhesive embedded with nanoparticles, the adhesive having a first modulus value and the nanoparticles oriented in a first orientation, the adhesive being configured to change in modulus in response to light, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one of the following a supramolecular adhesive compound, a metallosupramolecular adhesive compound, or a telechelic poly(ethylene-co-butylene) terminated with 2,6-bis(1'-methylbenzimidazoyl)-pyridine ligands; a second layer (14, 24) proximate to the first layer, the second layer comprising a light activation system, wherein the light activation system comprises a fiber optic component, the fiber optic component interwoven into a matrix and being in communication with a light energy source, wherein the matrix comprises carbon fiber, glass fiber and/or combinations thereof; and an energy input in communication with an energy source and the energy input in communication with the first adhesive layer (12, 22), the energy source comprising at least one of an electric energy source, a magnetic energy source, or an electro-magnetic energy source; producing, by the light activation system, light in the second layer (14, 24), the light with wavelengths ranging from 250 nm to 450 nm and with an intensity ranging from 800 mW/cm2 to 1000 mW/cm2); directing, by the light activation system, light produced by the second layer (14, 24) to the first layer (12, 22); altering the modulus of the adhesive from the first modulus value to a second modulus value upon receiving light energy from the second layer (14, 24); delivering electric, magnetic, or electro-magnetic energy from the energy source to the first adhesive layer (12, 22) via the energy input; and changing the orientation of the nanoparticles in the first layer (12, 22), the nanoparticles being re-oriented in a predetermined orientation based on an amount of electric, magnetic, or electro-magnetic energy provided to the first layer (12, 22) by the energy input. activating a multilayer system in the structure, the multilayer system comprising: a first layer (12, 22) comprising a reversible adhesive embedded with nanoparticles, the adhesive having a first modulus value and the nanoparticles oriented in a first orientation, the adhesive being configured to change in modulus in response to light, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one of the following a supramolecular adhesive compound, a metallosupramolecular adhesive compound, or a telechelic poly(ethylene-co-butylene) terminated with 2,6-bis(1'-methylbenzimidazoyl)-pyridine ligands; a second layer (14, 24) proximate to the first layer, the second layer comprising a light activation system, wherein the light activation system comprises a fiber optic component, the fiber optic component interwoven into a matrix and being in communication with a light energy source, wherein the matrix comprises carbon fiber, glass fiber and/or combinations thereof; and an energy input in communication with an energy source and the energy input in communication with the first adhesive layer (12, 22), the energy source comprising at least one of an electric energy source, a magnetic energy source, or an electro-magnetic energy source; a first layer (12, 22) comprising a reversible adhesive embedded with nanoparticles, the adhesive having a first modulus value and the nanoparticles oriented in a first orientation, the adhesive being configured to change in modulus in response to light, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one of the following a supramolecular adhesive compound, a metallosupramolecular adhesive compound, or a telechelic poly(ethylene-co-butylene) terminated with 2,6-bis(1'-methylbenzimidazoyl)-pyridine ligands; a second layer (14, 24) proximate to the first layer, the second layer comprising a light activation system, wherein the light activation system comprises a fiber optic component, the fiber optic component interwoven into a matrix and being in communication with a light energy source, wherein the matrix comprises carbon fiber, glass fiber and/or combinations thereof; and an energy input in communication with an energy source and the energy input in communication with the first adhesive layer (12, 22), the energy source comprising at least one of an electric energy source, a magnetic energy source, or an electro-magnetic energy source; producing, by the light activation system, light in the second layer (14, 24), the light with wavelengths ranging from 250 nm to 450 nm and with an intensity ranging from 800 mW/cm2 to 1000 mW/cm2); directing, by the light activation system, light produced by the second layer (14, 24) to the first layer (12, 22); altering the modulus of the adhesive from the first modulus value to a second modulus value upon receiving light energy from the second layer (14, 24); delivering electric, magnetic, or electro-magnetic energy from the energy source to the first adhesive layer (12, 22) via the energy input; and changing the orientation of the nanoparticles in the first layer (12, 22), the nanoparticles being re-oriented in a predetermined orientation based on an amount of electric, magnetic, or electro-magnetic energy provided to the first layer (12, 22) by the energy input.