Reversibly adaptive rough structures, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of raised elements on the substrate, the raised elements mutually spaced apart by channel regions on the substrate, each of the raised elements having a lateral surface and a distal end; the lateral surface, the distal end and the channel regions having hydrophobic molecules thereon; and the distal end having reversibly adaptive bristles thereon, the reversibly adaptive bristles being convertible between relatively hydrophilic and hydrophobic states by the application of an external stimulus. Techniques for making reversibly adaptive rough structures.