Adhesive microstructure and method of forming same

• US 7,335,271 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lewis & Clark College
• Original Assignee: Lewis & Clark College
• Inventors: Autumn, Kellar
• Primary Examiner(s): Aftergut; Jeff H.
• Application Number:
  US10/039,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20030124312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,246 Days
• Field of Search: 156/60, 156/57, 156/160
• US Class Current: 156/60
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/31 the adhesive effect being based on a Gecko structure
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/00 Adhesives in the form of films or foils
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/005 Means to increase the friction-coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/07 by means of multiple interengaging protrusions on the surfaces, e.g. hooks, coils,
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]

Abstract

A fabricated microstructure includes a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are capable of providing substantially parallel adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2000 nano-Newtons. A flexible shaft supports the protrusions, and a flexible member or beam is attached to the shaft to form a manipulator or gripper device.

Claims

1. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of:

using a flexible beam to apply a seta to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams;

using the flexible beam to orient said seta parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and

using the flexible beam to pull said seta with a force parallel to said surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adhesive force is greater than the cumulative force of said applying and pulling steps.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of eliminating said adhesive force by creating a force to produce a detachment angle between said seta and said surface.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said eliminating step includes a step of creating a force to produce a detachment angle of between about 25°

and 35°

between said seta and said surface.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said eliminating step includes the step of:

creating a force to produce a detachment angle of approximately 30°

between said seta and said surface.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said flexible beam produces a preload force while maintaining a substantially parallel alignment of the seta with the surface.

7. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of:

using a flexible beam to apply a seta to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams;

using the flexible beam to orient said seta parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and

using the flexible beam to pull said seta at a velocity to increase an adhesive force exerted by said seta on said surface.

8. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of:

using a flexible beam to apply a plurality of protrusions on a supporting structure to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams;

using the flexible beam to orient said plurality of protrusions parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and

using the flexible beam to pull said plurality of protrusions with a force parallel to said surface.

10. The method of claims 8 or 9 wherein the supporting structure is a substantially planar substrate.

11. The method of claims 8 or 9 wherein the supporting structure is a shaft.

9. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of:

using a flexible beam to apply a plurality of protrusions on a supporting structure to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams;

using the flexible beam to orient said plurality of protrusions parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and

using the flexible beam to pull said plurality of protrusions at a velocity to increase an adhesive force exerted by said plurality of protrusions on said surface.

12. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of:

using a flexible beam to apply a plurality of protrusions on a supporting structure to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible to produce an adhesive preload force while maintaining a substantially parallel alignment of said plurality of protrusions with said surface; and

using the flexible beam to pull said plurality of protrusions with a force parallel to said surface.