Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structure with spatial encoded functionality, the method comprising: providing in a volume (114) a first photosensitive material (116) that is two-photon crosslinking compatible, generating in the volume (114) a framework of crosslinked first photo-sensitive material (116), the generating of the framework comprising exposing the first photosensitive material (116) with a first focused laser beam (118) according to a first pattern for specifically initiating a two-photon crosslinking of the first photosensitive material (116) in accordance with the first pattern, removing from the volume (114) any remaining non-crosslinked portions of the first photosensitive material (116), providing to the volume (114) a second photosensitive material (116) that is two-photon crosslinking compatible, generating in the volume (114) the structure, the generating of the structure comprising exposing the second photosensitive material (116) with a second focused laser beam (11

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of actuating a shape changeable member of actuatable material. The invention further relates to a shape changeable member and to a system comprising such a shape changeable member and a magnetic field apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetically actuated capsule endoscope, the endoscope comprising: a body having a top housing part and a bottom housing part; a permanent magnet arranged within the top housing part; a plurality of deformable members extending from the top housing part to an end of the bottom housing part; and a needle projecting from the top housing part towards the bottom housing part and surrounded by the plurality of deformable members, wherein the plurality of deformable members are configured to repeatedly expand and contract to respectively cover and uncover a tip of said needle. The invention further relates to a magnetic field generating and sensing apparatus for a magnetically actuated endoscope and to a method of actuating a magnetically actuated capsule endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for printing a micro-scaled or nano-scaled XUV and/or X-ray Diffractive optic (1), including the following steps: a) providing a material (2) with a first component (2a) being photo-sensitive and being polymerizable by two-photon-absorption, b) providing data (3) of a desired geometrical structure (4) of the optic (1) and creating at least one trajectory (8) corresponding to the data (3) of the desired structure (4) of the optic (1), c) providing a high-intensity energy beam (5), in particular a laser beam, wherein the beam (5) comprises a focus (F) having a position being adjustable to a plurality of positions (F1, F2, <, Fp) being coincident with the at least one trajectory (8), d) polymerization of the material (2) by two-photon-absorption at a first position (Fn) of the focus (F), thereby creating a first voxel (vn1n2n3) of the structure (4) of the optic (1), adjusting the position of the focus (F) from the first position (Fn) to a subsequent position (Fn+1

Abstract: An aerodynamic or hydrodynamic wall surface has an array of fibrillar structures disposed on and extending from the wall surface, wherein each fibrillar structure comprises a stalk and a tip. The stalk has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the wall surface, and the stalk is oriented with respect to the wall surface at a stalk angle between approximately 1 degrees and 179 degrees. The tip has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is attached proximate to the second end of the stalk, the tip has a larger cross-sectional area than the stalk, and the second side comprises a substantially planar surface that is oriented with respect to the stalk at a tip angle between approximately 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

Abstract: This invention identifies important geometric parameters of an adhesive microfiber with mushroom-shaped tip for improving and optimizing adhesive ability. The magnitude of pull-off stress is dependent on a wedge angle ? and the ratio of the tip radius to the stalk radius ? of the mushroom-shaped fiber. Pull-off stress is also found to depend on a dimensionless parameter x, the ratio of the fiber radius to a length-scale related to the dominance of adhesive stress. Finally, the shape of edge tip, where the surface and sides of the mushroom-shaped tip join, is a factor that impacts strength of adhesion. Optimizing ranges for these parameters are identified.

Abstract: A dry adhesive and a method of forming a dry adhesive. The method includes forming an opening through an etch layer and to a barrier layer, expanding the opening in the etch layer at the barrier layer, filling the opening with a material, removing the barrier layer from the material in the opening, and removing the etch layer from the material in the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a shape-changeable magnetic member comprising a plurality of segments with each segment being able to be magnetized with a desired magnitude and orientation of magnetization, to a method of producing a shape changeable magnetic member composed of a plurality of segments and to a shape changeable magnetic member.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a shape-changeable magnetic member comprising a plurality of segments with each segment being able to be magnetized with a desired magnitude and orientation of magnetization, to a method of producing a shape changeable magnetic member composed of a plurality of segments and to a shape changeable magnetic member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of simultaneously calibrating magnetic actuation and sensing systems for a workspace, wherein the actuation system comprises a plurality of magnetic actuators and the sensing system comprises a plurality of magnetic sensors, wherein all the measured data is fed into a calibration model, wherein the calibration model is based on a sensor measurement model and a magnetic actuation model, and wherein a solution of the model parameters is found via a numerical solver order to calibrate both the actuation and sensing systems at the same time.

Abstract: This invention identifies important geometric parameters of an adhesive microfiber with mushroom-shaped tip for improving and optimizing adhesive ability. The magnitude of pull-off stress is dependent on a wedge angle ? and the ratio of the tip radius to the stalk radius ? of the mushroom-shaped fiber. Pull-off stress is also found to depend on a dimensionless parameter x, the ratio of the fiber radius to a length-scale related to the dominance of adhesive stress. Finally, the shape of edge tip, where the surface and sides of the mushroom-shaped tip join, is a factor that impacts strength of adhesion. Optimizing ranges for these parameters are identified.

Abstract: A method for reversibly attaching a phase changing metal to an object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having at least one surface at which the phase changing metal is attached, heating the phase changing metal above a phase changing temperature at which the phase changing metal changes its phase from solid to liquid, bringing the phase changing metal, when the phase changing metal is in the liquid phase or before the phase changing metal is brought into the liquid phase, into contact with the object, permitting the phase changing metal to cool below the phase changing temperature, whereby the phase changing metal becomes solid and the object and the phase changing metal become attached to each other, reheating the phase changing metal above the phase changing temperature to liquefy the phase changing metal, and removing the substrate from the object, with the phase changing metal separating from the object and remaining with the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripping apparatus comprising a membrane; a flexible housing; with said membrane being fixedly connected to a periphery of the housing. The invention further relates to a method of producing a gripping apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of actuating a shape changeable member of actuatable material. The invention further relates to a shape changeable member and to a system comprising such a shape changeable member and a magnetic field apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of forming dry adhesives including a method of making a dry adhesive including applying a liquid polymer to the second end of the stem, molding the liquid polymer on the stem in a mold, wherein the mold includes a recess having a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the second end of the stem, curing the liquid polymer in the mold to form a tip at the second end of the stem, wherein the tip includes a second layer stem; corresponding to the recess in the mold, and removing the tip from the mold after the liquid polymer cures.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods to fabricate actuators that can be remotely controlled in an addressable manner, and methods to provide remote control such micro-actuators. The actuators are composites of two permanent magnet materials, one of which is has high coercivity, and the other of which switches magnetization direction by applied fields. By switching the second material's magnetization direction, the two magnets either work together or cancel each other, resulting in distinct “on” and “off” behavior of the devices. The device can be switched “on” or “off” remotely using a field pulse of short duration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structure with spatial encoded functionality, the method comprising: providing in a volume (114) a first photosensitive material (116) that is two-photon crosslinking compatible, generating in the volume (114) a framework of crosslinked first photo-sensitive material (116), the generating of the framework comprising exposing the first photosensitive material (116) with a first focused laser beam (118) according to a first pattern for specifically initiating a two-photon crosslinking of the first photosensitive material (116) in accordance with the first pattern, removing from the volume (114) any remaining non-crosslinked portions of the first photosensitive material (116), providing to the volume (114) a second photosensitive material (116) that is two-photon crosslinking compatible, generating in the volume (114) the structure, the generating of the structure comprising exposing the second photosensitive material (116) with a second focused laser beam (11

Abstract: A method for reversibly attaching a phase changing metal to an object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having at least one surface at which the phase changing metal is attached, heating the phase changing metal above a phase changing temperature at which the phase changing metal changes its phase from solid to liquid, bringing the phase changing metal, when the phase changing metal is in the liquid phase or before the phase changing metal is brought into the liquid phase, into contact with the object, permitting the phase changing metal to cool below the phase changing temperature, whereby the phase changing metal becomes solid and the object and the phase changing metal become attached to each other, reheating the phase changing metal above the phase changing temperature to liquefy the phase changing metal, and removing the substrate from the object, with the phase changing metal separating from the object and remaining with the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a shape-changeable magnetic member comprising a plurality of segments with each segment being able to be magnetized with a desired magnitude and orientation of magnetization, to a method of producing a shape changeable magnetic member composed of a plurality of segments and to a shape changeable magnetic member.

Abstract: The present invention are methods for fabrication of micro- and/or nano-scale adhesive fibers and their use for movement and manipulation of objects. Further disclosed is a method of manipulating a part by providing a manipulation device with a plurality of fibers, where each fiber has a tip with a flat surface that is parallel to a backing layer, contacting the flat surfaces on an object, moving the object to a new location, then disengaging the tips from the object.