Towards friction and adhesion from high modulus microfiber arrays

Authors: Schubert, B.¹; Majidi, C.¹; Groff, R.E.²; Baek, S.¹; Bush, B.³; Maboudian, R.³; Fearing, R.S.¹

Source: Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, Volume 21, Numbers 12-13, 2007 , pp. 1297-1315(19)

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Abstract:

Unlike traditional pressure sensitive adhesives, the natural setal arrays of gecko lizards achieve dry adhesion with stiff, keratinous material. This remarkable property has inspired a new class of adhesive and high friction microstructures composed of stiff materials that, like natural setae, have an elastic modulus greater than 1 GPa. In contrast to softer materials, such as rubber and low molecular weight acrylates, stiff materials have the advantage of wear and creep resistance and represent a wide range of polymers, metals, and ceramics that include materials that are also temperature resistant and biocompatible. This work presents progress in the design and fabrication of synthetic gecko adhesives with particular attention to the principles of contact mechanics and elasticity that are essential in formulating accurate design criteria.

Keywords: BIO-INSPIRED ADHESION; FIBRILLAR ADHESIVES; MICROFABRICATION; ELASTIC ROD THEORY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156856107782328344

Affiliations: 1: Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA 2: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, USA 3: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA

Publication date: 2007-10-01