Modeling and Design of Biomimetic Adhesives Inspired by Gecko Foot-Hairs

This novel research work is motivated by the fascinating climbing ability of geckos. Recent experiments on the attachment mechanism of gecko feet have confirmed that van der Waals forces dominate gecko adhesion. Images of gecko feet have revealed a very intricate hierarchical fiber structures. These fibers are primarily responsible for the important properties of the gecko feet including strong adhesion, easy detachment, rough surface adaptation, self-cleaning, and resistance to wear. This paper introduces a methodology for designing biomimetic dry adhesive pads inspired by the attachment mechanism of gecko feet. The research has enhanced the understanding of gecko adhesive properties and their dependence on the geometry and material properties of gecko feet nano-fibers. We model the fibers as an array of oriented cantilever beams. Mathematical relations between the adhesion properties and fiber properties are studied, and design guidelines are formulated for fabrication of the biomimetic synthetic adhesives.