Biomimetic Micro/Nano-structured Adhesive Materials with "Smart" Properties

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With the rapidly growing demand to miniaturize machines and maximize their performance density, the effective adhesion and/or joining of similar and dissimilar material components has become one of the most critical technical prerequisites for manufacturing biosensors, medical devices, microelectronics and many other technologies at ever-smaller scales, where other means of materials joining (e.g., bolts-nuts, fastening, welding) do not work effectively. The proposed program of research aims at the development of biomimetic micro and nano-structured adhesive materials with smart properties for next-generation advanced materials and manufacturing processes. Inspired by the superior properties and structures of biological systems, such as lotus superhydrophobic anti-adhesive leaves and gecko adhesive toe pads, in the current Discovery Grant program, my research team has developed several generations of biomimetic micro-structures and used them to tailor adhesion and associated interfacial phenomena, such as wetting, deformation, and cracking at interface between materials. We also developed various nanoscale materials and acquired a deep understanding of viscoelastic behavior of polymer adhesives and nanoscale surface interactions. Building on the previous successes, the proposed program will further develop this exciting biomimetic field by extending recent advances in nanotechnology and nanoscience to develop a new generation of biomimetic adhesives with multifunctional "smart" properties. Based on our own research findings and literature reports, we have developed a new concept of using functional nanocomposite materials in the biomimetic adhesive structures; the interplay among the electrically conductive nanofillers and their interaction with the polymer matrix will make the nanocomposite biomimetic adhesive structures possible to deliver multifunctional “smart” properties. A nice niche of application of our adhesive research in electronic manufactures has been established. We will focus on such smartness as electrical conductivity, piezoelectric responses and adhesion adaptation. Nanoscale functional fillers (e.g. silver) will be incorporated into the biomimetic structures to make them electrically conductive so as to deliver such “smart” functions as piezoelectric and sensing properties to adhesive materials. These smart biomimetic structures will be functionalized with advanced chemistry to make it have adaptable adhesion to challenging surfaces. For example, Geckos are well adapted to both dry and wet conditions; but current gecko mimics lack this adaptability and limits its applications in humid and wet conditions. Under the proposed project, new types of hydrogel-like thin films will be synthesized and utilized to functionalize the adhesive structures so that they can have the desired adaptable adhesion properties. Similar to surface proteins on the gecko foot pad, the surface polymer gel have the ability to response to changes in environmental conditions. Furthermore, this research will explore ways to transfer the developed technology and mechanistic understanding into effective adhesion and bonding processes used in biological and mechanical systems’ applications. Overall, the proposed research program is at the forefront of the field of bionanomaterials and provides excellent training opportunities for graduate students. The planned research activities are original and innovative, likely leading to revolutionary advances that will have a broad impact to the scientific community. This program will help maintain the competitive advantage of Canadian scientific community and manufacturing industries and benefit mankind as well.