Research into the gecko’s adhesive system revealed a unique architecture for adhesives using tiny hairs. By using a stiff material (-keratin) to create a highly structured adhesive, the gecko’s system demonstrates properties not seen in traditional pressure-sensitive adhesives which use a soft, unstructured planar layer. In contrast to pressure sensitive adhesives, the gecko adhesive displays frictional adhesion, in which increased shear force allows it to withstand higher normal loads. Synthetic fibrillar adhesives have been fabricated but not all demonstrate this frictional adhesion property. Here we report the dual-axis force testing of single silicone rubber pillars from synthetic adhesive arrays. We find that the shape of the adhesive pillar dictates whether frictional adhesion or pressure-sensitive behavior is observed. This work suggests that both types of behavior can be achieved with structures much larger than gecko terminal structures. It also indicates that subtle differences in the shape of these pillars can significantly influence their properties.
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2 August 2010
Research Article|
August 02 2010
Effect of fibril shape on adhesive properties Available to Purchase
Daniel Soto;
Daniel Soto
a)
1Department of Applied Physics,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Ginel Hill;
Ginel Hill
1Department of Applied Physics,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Aaron Parness;
Aaron Parness
2Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Noé Esparza;
Noé Esparza
2Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Mark Cutkosky;
Mark Cutkosky
2Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Tom Kenny
Tom Kenny
2Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Daniel Soto
1,a)
Ginel Hill
1
Aaron Parness
2
Noé Esparza
2
Mark Cutkosky
2
Tom Kenny
2
1Department of Applied Physics,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
2Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Stanford University
, Stanford, California 94305, USA
a)
Electronic mail: [email protected].
Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 053701 (2010)
Article history
Received:
March 17 2010
Accepted:
June 25 2010
Citation
Daniel Soto, Ginel Hill, Aaron Parness, Noé Esparza, Mark Cutkosky, Tom Kenny; Effect of fibril shape on adhesive properties. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2 August 2010; 97 (5): 053701. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3464553
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