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

摘要建议编号：NIRT 0609077PI和共同PI：Liming Dai，Ali Dhinojwala，Pulickel Ajayan和Ajit K.RoyPI电子邮件：ldai@udayton.edu项目标题：NIRT：模拟壁虎脚的基于碳纳米管的干燥粘合剂表面的制造本提案是对纳米科学与工程倡议的响应，NSF 05-610，类别NIRT。其目标是开发一个基本的技术平台，将定向碳纳米管(CNT)的“毛”用于柔性塑料，以创建受壁虎脚毛启发而产生的强大弹性粘合剂。这项研究将集中在定向碳纳米管结构的合成和微制造；对这些定向碳纳米管进行表面修饰以适应粘合和润湿；将这些碳纳米管嵌入保持微加工结构的柔性聚合物基质中；以及在控制干粘接性能方面对这种杂化材料的表面/界面和机械性能有一个基本的了解。这种结构的多尺度建模以评估粘附性和机械性能将与实验协同进行，以了解定向碳纳米管端与不同衬底的粘附性。通过模仿壁虎脚上发现的结构所获得的知识，不仅将使我们对剪裁粘合和摩擦的新科学原理有深刻的基础理解，而且还将在微电子、机器人和空间应用领域开发新的干胶粘剂。所获得的知识将有助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俄亥俄州参与纳米科学和纳米技术开发的充满活力的聚合物行业。教育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(纳米技术)、阿克伦(聚合物技术)和RPI(生物启发材料)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).