Figure 1: Surface indentation profiles upon adhesion.

Coloured data show surface profiles of silicone substrates upon adhesion to spherical silica particles of radii 15 μm. No external forces are applied to the particles except for their weight, which causes negligible indentation. Substrate stiffnesses are 3 kPa (blue), 85 kPa (magenta) and 500 kPa (cyan).