Patent ID: 8550222

Claim:
A device for selectively controlling and varying a frictional force level at an interface between two bodies, comprising: a first contact body having at least one surface presenting an adjustable condition morphology defining a flat configuration; a second contact body having at least one surface in physical communication with the first contact body; and an active material in operative communication with and composing a selected one or both of the first contact body and the second contact body, so as to at least partially define at least one of said at least one surfaces, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in a property is configured to modify the morphology so as to create a plurality of anisotropic wrinkles, and the frictional force level at the interface between the at least one surface of the first contact body and the at least one surface of the second contact body, as a result of modifying the morphology.