NIRT: Fabrication of carbon nanotube based dry adhesive surfaces mimicking gecko-feet

摘要提案编号：NIRT 0609077PI，合作项目负责人：Liming Dai， Ali Dhinojwala， Pulickel Ajayan和Ajit K. RoyPI电子邮件：ldai@udayton.eduProject标题：NIRT：基于碳纳米管的模拟壁虎脚干粘接表面的制备。该提案收到于纳米科学与工程计划，NSF 05-610，类别NIRT。目标是开发一个基础和技术平台，利用柔性塑料上排列的碳纳米管（CNT）“毛发”来制造强大的弹性粘合剂，这种粘合剂的灵感来自壁虎脚毛。研究将集中在纳米碳纳米管结构的合成和微加工；这些排列碳纳米管的表面改性，以适应附着力和润湿性；将碳纳米管嵌入柔性聚合物基质中，保持微加工结构；并且，在控制干粘性能方面，对这种混合材料的表面/界面和机械性能有一个基本的了解。对这种结构进行多尺度建模，以评估其粘附性和力学性能，并与实验协同进行，以了解排列的碳纳米管末端与各种衬底的粘附性。通过模仿壁虎脚上发现的结构获得的知识将不仅导致对定制粘合和摩擦的新科学原理的强大基本理解，而且还将在微电子，机器人和空间应用领域开发新的干粘合剂。所获得的知识将有利于开发薄膜器件和智能材料，广泛应用于涂料、智能纺织品和光子学领域。这项技术将被转移到俄亥俄州参与纳米科学和纳米技术发展的充满活力的聚合物工业。教育方面的影响将是创造一个环境，让来自多学科背景的学生（研究生、本科生、高中生和来自代表性不足群体的学生）共同努力开发一个共同的平台。研究经验将被纳入代顿大学（纳米技术）、阿克伦大学（聚合物技术）和RPI大学（受生物学启发的材料）的跨学科课程。

Abstract Proposal Number: NIRT 0609077PI and Co-PIs: Liming Dai, Ali Dhinojwala, Pulickel Ajayan and Ajit K. RoyPI Email: ldai@udayton.eduProject Title: NIRT: Fabrication of carbon nanotube based dry adhesive surfaces mimicking gecko-feetThis proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 05-610, category NIRT. The objective is to develop a fundamental and technological platform for using aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) "hairs" on flexible plastic to create strong elastic adhesives that are inspired by the gecko foot hairs. The research will focus on the synthesis and microfabrication of aligned CNT structures; surface modification of these aligned CNT to tailor adhesion and wetting; embed these CNT in flexible polymer matrices maintaining the microfabricated structure; and, develop a fundamental understanding of the surface/interfacial and mechanical properties of such hybrid material in controlling dry adhesive performance. Multi-scale modeling of such structures to evaluate the adhesive and mechanical properties will be done in synergy with the experiments to understand the adhesion of aligned carbon nanotube ends with various substrates. The knowledge acquired from mimicking the structure found on gecko foot will lead to not only a strong fundamental understanding of new scientific principles of tailoring adhesion and friction, but also developing new dry adhesives in the areas of microelectronics, robotics, and space applications. The knowledge acquired will benefit in developing thin film devices and smart materials for a broad range of applications in the field of coatings, smart textiles, and photonics. This technology will be transferred to the vibrant polymer industry involved in development of nanoscience and nanotechnology in Ohio. The education impact will be to create an environment where students (graduate, undergraduate, high school, and students from underrepresented groups) from multidisciplinary background work together on the development of a common platform. The research experience will be incorporated in interdisciplinary classes taught at Dayton (Nanotechnology), Akron (Polymer Technology), and RPI (Materials inspired by Biology).