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

摘要提案编号：NIRT 0609077 PI和Co-PI：Liming Dai、Ali Dhinojwala、Pulickel Ajayan和Ajit K. RoyPI Email：ldai@udayton. edu项目名称：NIRT：模仿壁虎脚的基于碳纳米管的干粘合剂表面的制造该提议是响应纳米尺度科学和工程倡议，NSF 05-610，类别NIRT而收到的。 其目标是开发一个基础和技术平台，用于在柔性塑料上使用对齐的碳纳米管（CNT）“毛发”，以创造受壁虎足毛启发的强弹性粘合剂。 该研究将集中在合成和对齐的CNT结构的微细加工;这些对齐的CNT的表面改性，以定制粘附力和润湿性;将这些CNT嵌入到柔性聚合物基质中，以保持微细加工的结构;并对这种混合材料的表面/界面和机械性能进行基本了解，以控制干粘合剂性能。 这种结构的多尺度建模以评估粘合剂和机械性能将与实验协同进行，以了解对齐的碳纳米管末端与各种基材的粘合性。 从模仿壁虎脚上发现的结构中获得的知识不仅将导致对定制粘合力和摩擦力的新科学原理的深刻理解，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，用于涂料，智能纺织品和光子学领域的广泛应用。这项技术将被转移到充满活力的聚合物工业参与发展的纳米科学和纳米技术在俄亥俄州。教育方面的影响将是创造一种环境，让来自多学科背景的学生（研究生、本科生、高中生和代表性不足群体的学生）共同努力开发一个共同平台。 研究经验将被纳入代顿（纳米技术），阿克伦（聚合物技术）和RPI（受生物学启发的材料）教授的跨学科课程。

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).