Abstract
We developed a dry synthetic adhesive system inspired by gecko feet adhesion that can switch reversibly from adhesion to non-adhesion with applied pressure as external stimulus. Micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces with pillars of 30 µm length and 10 µm diameter were fabricated using photolithography and moulding. Adhesion properties were determined with a flat probe as a function of preload. For low and moderate applied compressive preloads, measured adhesion was 7.5 times greater than on flat controls whereas for high applied preloads adhesion dropped to very low values. In situ imaging shows that the increased preload caused the pillars to deform by bending and/or buckling and to lose their adhesive contact. The elasticity of PDMS aids the pillar recovery to the upright position upon removal of preload enabling repeatability of the switch.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1152-1159 |
Journal | Materials science & engineering. C, Biomimetic materials, sensors and systems |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- biomimetic fibrillar interfaces
- gecko foot-hair
- contact mechanics
- surfaces
- attachment
- friction
- shape
- devices
- design
- layer