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Reduction Of Water Surface Tension Significantly Impacts Gecko Adhesion Underwater, Peter Niewiarowski, Ali Dhinojwala, Alyssa Stark, Brandon Mcclung
Reduction Of Water Surface Tension Significantly Impacts Gecko Adhesion Underwater, Peter Niewiarowski, Ali Dhinojwala, Alyssa Stark, Brandon Mcclung
Dr. Peter H. Niewiarowski
The gecko adhesive system is dependent on weak van der Waals interactions that are multiplied across thousands of fine hair-like structures (setae) on geckos' toe pads. Due to the requirements of van der Waals forces, we expect that any interruption between the setae and substrate, such as a water layer, will compromise adhesion. Our recent results suggest, however, that the air layer (plastron) surrounding the superhydrophobic toe pads aid in expelling water at the contact interface and create strong shear adhesion in water when in contact with hydrophobic surfaces. To test the function of the air plastron, we reduced the …
The Role Of Surface Chemistry In Adhesion And Wetting Of Gecko Toe Pads, Ali Dhinojwala, Peter Niewiarowski, Ila Badge, Alyssa Stark, Eva Paoloni
The Role Of Surface Chemistry In Adhesion And Wetting Of Gecko Toe Pads, Ali Dhinojwala, Peter Niewiarowski, Ila Badge, Alyssa Stark, Eva Paoloni
Dr. Peter H. Niewiarowski
An array of micron-sized setal hairs offers geckos a unique ability to walk on vertical surfaces using van der Waals interactions. Although many studies have focused on the role of surface morphology of the hairs, very little is known about the role of surface chemistry on wetting and adhesion. We expect that both surface chemistry and morphology are important, not only to achieve optimum dry adhesion but also for increased efficiency in self-cleaning of water and adhesion under wet conditions. Here, we used a plasma-based vapor deposition process to coat the hairy patterns on gecko toe pad sheds with polar …