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    Bioinspired pressure actuated adhesive system
    (Saarbrücken : Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien, 2011) Paretkar, Dadhichi R.; Kamperman, Marleen; Schneider, Andreas S.; Arzt, Eduard
    We developed a dry snythetic adhesive system inspired by gecko feet that can switch reversibly from adhesion to non-adhesion with applied pressure as external stimulus. Micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces with pillars of 30 µm length and 10 µm diameter were fabricated using photolithography and moulding. Adhesion properties were determined with a flat probe as a function of preload. For low and moderate applied compressive preloads, measured adhesion was 7.5 times higher on the patterned surfaces than on flat controls whereas for high preloads adhesion dropped to very low values. In situ imaging showed that the increased preload caused the pillars to deform by bending and/or buckling and to lose their adhesive contact. The elasticity of PDMS aids the pillar recovery to the upright position upon removal of preload enabling repeatability of the switch. Such systems have promising properties e.g. for industrial pick-and-carry operations.
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    "Gecko-Workshop 2010" - INM initiates new worldwide conference series
    (Saarbrücken : Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien, 2011) Kamperman, Marleen; Arzt, Eduard
    In July 2010, scientists from all over the world gathered at INM to discuss gecko inspired adhesion at a workshop entitled "Bioinspired adhesion: from geckos to new products". The talks covered a range of current issues, including natural attachment systems, developments in artificial gecko-mimics, advances in mechanical models and possible products. This was the first dedicated workshop on this topic. The attendees unanimously agreed to create an international workshop series based on the INM example.