NER: Synthetic Gecko Tapes--mimicking biological structures at the nanoscale

智力优势：这项研究的目的是开发人造表面纳米结构来模仿壁虎的皮肤。壁虎有一种惊人的能力，可以毫不费力地爬上爬下垂直的干墙。最近的调查揭示了壁虎手掌上独特结构的“Seta”毛发的秘密。角状刚毛纤维由数百个更精细的纳米结构刮刀组成。这种独特的结构使壁虎能够利用有效的范德华力使它干燥的手变得粘稠。在本计划中，我们将研究合成壁虎皮肤结构的基本理解和制造技术。该方法是通过对人造壁虎足毛的材料特性和纳米聚合物表面结构参数进行系统分析。纳米印迹和合成化学是实现具有设计工程特性的纳米图案聚合物表面的工具，它可以实现强而可逆的粘合表面。更广泛的影响：拟议研究项目的主要组成部分涵盖了科学和工程的几个学科，包括分子设计、合成和纳米制造。这一结果可能导致具有经济意义的新型仿生纳米结构。这项研究将被整合到一个强大的教育努力中，包括研究生培训、课程开发和本科生研究机会。这个跨学科的项目将涉及材料科学和电气工程系的学生。研究结果将被纳入纳米技术和生物材料的研究生课程。此外，将开发用于课堂演示的合成壁虎磁带，作为K-12教师和学生体验新兴纳米生物科学的有效教育工具。

Intellectual Merit: The objective of the research is to develop artificial surface nanostructures to mimic gecko skins. Geckos have an amazing ability to climb up and down vertical dry walls effortlessly. Recent investigations revealed the secret of uniquely structured "Seta" hairs on gecko's palms. The keratinous seta fibers are composed of hundreds of finer nano-structured spatulas. This unique structure allows a gecko to use efficient van der Waals forces to make its dry hands sticky. In this proposed program fundamental understandings and manufacturing technologies to fabricate synthetic Gecko skin structures will be researched. The approach is through systematic analysis of the artificial gecko foot hairs in terms of material properties and structural parameters of the nano-patterned polymer surface. Nanoimprinting and Synthetic chemistry are the tools to achieve the nanopatterned polymer surfaces with designed engineering properties, which enables strong but reversible adhesive surfaces. Broader Impact: The main components of the proposed research project cover several disciplines of science and engineering including molecular design, synthesis, and nano-fabrication. The results may lead to new biomimetic nanostructures with economic significance. The research will be integrated into a strong educational effort including graduate student training, curriculum development, and undergraduate student research opportunity. This interdisciplinary project will involve students from both material science and electrical engineering departments. The results obtained will be incorporated to graduate level courses on nanotechnology and biomaterials. In addition, synthetic gecko tapes for in-class demonstration will be developed as effective educational tools for the K-12 teachers and students to experience the emerging nano-bio science.