Composite dry adhesive and methods of making and using a composite dry adhesive

A composite dry adhesive comprising:

• an adhesive layer comprising a shape memory polymer;
• and
• a resistive heating layer comprising a shape memory polymer composite on the adhesive layer, the shape memory polymer composite including conductive particles dispersed in a shape memory polymer matrix, wherein the conductive particles have a concentration sufficient to form a conductive path through the resistive heating layer,
• wherein the resistive heating layer includes one or more isolated contact regions at least partially surrounded by a continuous resistive region, the one or more isolated contact regions including the conductive particles at a first concentration and the continuous resistive region including the conductive particles at a second concentration, the first concentration being higher than the second concentration.