Robust self-cleaning and micromanipulation capabilities of gecko spatulae and their bio-mimics

Quan Xu, Yiyang Wan, Travis Shihao Hu, Tony X. Liu, Dashuai Tao, Peter H. Niewiarowski, Yu Tian, Yue Liu, Liming Dai, Yanqing Yang and Zhenhai Xia ()
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Quan Xu: State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Institute of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (Beijing)
Yiyang Wan: University of North Texas
Travis Shihao Hu: University of Denver
Tony X. Liu: University of North Texas
Dashuai Tao: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University
Peter H. Niewiarowski: The University of Akron
Yu Tian: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University
Yue Liu: University of North Texas
Liming Dai: Center of Advanced Science and Engineering for Carbon (Case4carbon), Case Western Reserve University
Yanqing Yang: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University
Zhenhai Xia: University of North Texas

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Geckos have the extraordinary ability to prevent their sticky feet from fouling while running on dusty walls and ceilings. Understanding gecko adhesion and self-cleaning mechanisms is essential for elucidating animal behaviours and rationally designing gecko-inspired devices. Here we report a unique self-cleaning mechanism possessed by the nano-pads of gecko spatulae. The difference between the velocity-dependent particle-wall adhesion and the velocity-independent spatula-particle dynamic response leads to a robust self-cleaning capability, allowing geckos to efficiently dislodge dirt during their locomotion. Emulating this natural design, we fabricate artificial spatulae and micromanipulators that show similar effects, and that provide a new way to manipulate micro-objects. By simply tuning the pull-off velocity, our gecko-inspired micromanipulators, made of synthetic microfibers with graphene-decorated micro-pads, can easily pick up, transport, and drop-off microparticles for precise assembling. This work should open the door to the development of novel self-cleaning adhesives, smart surfaces, microelectromechanical systems, biomedical devices, and more.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9949

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