Stooped Nanohairs: Geometry-Controllable, Unidirectional, Reversible, and Robust Gecko-like Dry Adhesive

Kim, Tae-il; Jeong, Hoon Eui; Suh, Kahp Y.; Lee, Hong H.

Stooped Nanohairs: Geometry-Controllable, Unidirectional, Reversible, and Robust Gecko-like Dry Adhesive

Type

Article

Authors

Kim, Tae-il
Jeong, Hoon Eui
Suh, Kahp Y.
Lee, Hong H.

KAUST Grant Number

KUK-F1-037-02

Date

2009-06-12

Abstract

A study was conducted to demonstrate a simple method for fabricating stopped high-aspect-ratio (AR) nanohairs of polyurethane acrylate (PUA) material that utilized replica molding and post-electron-beam irradiation. The method offered a facile route to prepare angled polymer nanohairs without multistep processes or surface treatment. It was demonstrated that the PUA material was molded into a geometry controlled and high-density nanochair surface with an AR of up to 10 without facing self-matting problem, due to its favorable mechanical properties. The as-formed hairy structures also allowed for structural transformation into directional and angled nanohairs, while maintaining better adhesion capability. The nanohair surface also showed significant unidirectional adhesion properties and a higher shear adhesion due to its structural similarity to natural gecko foot hairs.

Citation

Kim T, Jeong HE, Suh KY, Lee HH (2009) Stooped Nanohairs: Geometry-Controllable, Unidirectional, Reversible, and Robust Gecko-like Dry Adhesive. Advanced Materials 21: 2276–2281. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.200803710.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation through the NANO R&D Program (Grant 2007-02605) and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) program (KUK-F1-037-02). This work was also supported in part by the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD) (Grant KRF-J03000), the Micro Thermal System Research Center, and the Engineering Research Institute. Supporting Information is available online at Wiley InterScience or from the author.