Due to sealing properties of the material, when the object is pulled off the surface, a vacuum is created in the cavities.
Due to external air pressure, this creates a force that prevents the object from being removed from the surface, a mechanism similar to that of a suction cup.
Compared to a suction cup, the force is smaller for the tape (assuming the same attachment surface area) because only a portion of the surface area contains craters that form vacuum chambers, and the maximal force factor is determined by this portion.
In order to ensure a reliable long-term grip, surface bubbles must be well sealed after object attachment and must not leak air.
Other approaches are also considered for devices with similar function, such as those inspired by animals that are capable of scaling vertical walls and ceilings, e.g. geckos, tree frogs and some insects.