Project Details
Projekt
An Integrated Framework for Engineering Bio-Mimetic Adhesive Interface - (EBioAdI)
Subject Area
Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Term
from 2008 to 2012
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 68667322
Contact problems abound in modern technology: wherever two material surfaces meet, adhesion and friction must be optimized to ensure proper functioning of the device. Several natural systems as geckos, spiders, flies, leaves and cells, at a smaller scale, have developed over the years different but very effective strategies to control adhesion and friction. This usually involves a complex interplay between molecular-scale interactions and bulk structural properties. Triggered by such observations, adhesion and friction have seen a new paradigm emerge in recent years: patterning surfaces can strongly enhanced adhesion compared to planar surfaces, with the exact shape, size and surface chemico-physical properties of the contact playing a decisive role. The main objective of this Collaborative Research Project (CRP) will be the development of an integrated framework for the engineering of bio-mimetic surface with superior adhesive and friction performances through (i) the development of predictive theoretical models (heterogeneous multi-scale models), (ii) the fabrication of artificial bio-mimetic prototypes (hierarchically structured surfaces and surfaces with a controlled roughness over multiple scales) and (iii) the testing of natural systems as well as artificial bio-mimetic prototypes against their friction and adhesive performances. The present CRP will involve partners with different scientific backgrounds spanning from biology to applied and theoretical physics, from biomedical to electrical and mechanical engineering, with specific research expertise in friction and adhesion. These surfaces will have applications in different fields spanning from the automotive to the biomedical industry, from micro/nano-technology to robotics and print industry.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Belgium, France, Switzerland, Turkey
Participating Persons
Professor Costantino Creton, Ph.D.; Dr. Pascal Damman; Professor Dr. Oguz Gulseren; Professor Dr. Ralph Spolenak
