The most important part of a soccer cleat is the part you’ll never see. 

Microtechnology developed through the research lab of Bill King, professor in Engineering, has been integrated into the newest line of adidas Predator soccer cleats. 

Right now, the national teams of Germany, England and Spain are putting them to the test on the world stage at the 2026 World Cup.  

Traditionally, players had to make trade-offs on the type of cleat they chose. This was due to the type of material sewn into the upper part of the shoe, which makes direct contact with the ball. They could either opt for higher-grip surfaces for better ball control or lower-friction surfaces for cleaner, faster strikes. 

This cleat, however, uses a Nanostrike+ surface mesh covered in microscopic pillar-like structures, allowing friction to be adjusted based on how much force a player applies. 

For instance, a light touch while dribbling could produce a more controlled “stick” on the ball, while a harder strike during a pass or shot reduces friction, allowing the ball to release cleanly. 

By drawing inspiration from nature, including gecko feet and lotus leaves, these textiles achieve adhesive properties through surface features, rather than traditional chemistry. 

King’s lab has been developing engineered surfaces like this for more than two decades, with federal research funding through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency supporting early research. Later, the technology’s demand began expanding toward commercial application across industries. 

“The key obstacle has always been how to manufacture these microstructures at scale,” King said. “Manufacturing is the bridge to unlock surface engineering.”

In response to commercial interest, King co-founded the company Hoowaki with current CEO Ralph Hulseman. Hoowaki focuses on developing applications for engineered surfaces across healthcare, transportation and, most recently, athletic wear. 

“Together, we were the first team to build the fundamental engineering principles of micro-engineering surfaces, which allowed us to develop computational models for customized designs, as well as scalable manufacturing technology,” Hulseman said. 

Looking ahead, advances like these point to a future where athletic performance is increasingly shaped by invisible engineering, turning microscopic designs into major gains on the field. 

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