Abstract: Dry adhesives and methods for forming dry adhesives. A method of forming a dry adhesive structure on a backing material, comprises: forming a template backing layer of energy sensitive material on the backing material; forming a template layer of energy sensitive material on the template backing layer; exposing the template layer to a predetermined pattern of energy; removing a portion of the template layer related to the predetermined pattern of energy, and leaving a template structure formed from energy sensitive material and connected to the substrate via the template backing layer.

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: Dry adhesives and methods for forming dry adhesives. A method of forming a dry adhesive structure on a backing material, comprises: forming a template backing layer of energy sensitive material on the backing material; forming a template layer of energy sensitive material on the template backing layer; exposing the template layer to a predetermined pattern of energy; removing a portion of the template layer related to the predetermined pattern of energy, and leaving a template structure formed from energy sensitive material and connected to the substrate via the template backing layer.

Abstract: An energy harvester apparatus, system and method. A cantilevered beam resonator includes a cantilever beam and a base defined by the ends of the cantilever beam. The cantilevered beam resonator further includes a piezoelectric transducer composed of one or more piezoelectric components. The piezoelectric transducer is generally mounted beneath the base of the cantilevered beam resonator. In some example embodiments, the piezoelectric component can be configured in a split electrode configuration composed of a single split arrangement or more than one split (e.g., two splits, three splits, four splits, and so on).

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for a fibrillar adhesion device comprises forming a stem mold, generating an array of at least one stems using the stem mold, forming a cap mold, generating an array of at least one caps using the cap mold, adhering the array of at least one stems to the array of at least one caps, and removing the cap mold wherein the resulting system comprise an array of at least one fibrillar adhesive structures.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for an improved gripping device comprises a substrate and a curved microplate formed on the substrate. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises an array of curved microplates formed on the substrate further comprising a plurality of aligned rows of the curved microplates formed on the substrate and a plurality of aligned columns of the curved microplates formed on the substrate. The curved microplate has a gripping direction, being substantially opposite the direction of the curve in the curved microplate and the curved microplate has a releasing direction, substantially in line with the direction of the curve in the curved microplate.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for the reduction of aerodynamic noise and vibrations. The coating apparatus is configured to include a group of fibrillar structures, wherein each fibrillar structure is configured with a diverging tip so that the coating reduces the size of and shifts downstream, a separation bubble, and modulates large-scale recirculating motion. Each fibrillar structure can be configured as a cylindrical micropillar. The group of fibrillar structures can be configured as a group of uniformly distributed cylindrical micropillars (e.g., one or more micropillar arrays). The surface coating is effective in reducing the separation bubble and displacing the separation bubble downstream. The coating facilitates a reduction in noise (e.g., aerodynamic noise) and vibrations due to the reduction in the size of the separation bubble.

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: 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 coating apparatus for the reduction of aerodynamic noise and vibrations. The coating apparatus is configured to include a group of fibrillar structures, wherein each fibrillar structure is configured with a diverging tip so that the coating reduces the size of and shifts downstream, a separation bubble, and modulates large-scale recirculating motion. Each fibrillar structure can be configured as a cylindrical micropillar. The group of fibrillar structures can be configured as a group of uniformly distributed cylindrical micropillars (e.g., one or more micropillar arrays). The surface coating is effective in reducing the separation bubble and displacing the separation bubble downstream. The coating facilitates a reduction in noise (e.g., aerodynamic noise) and vibrations due to the reduction in the size of the separation bubble.

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: An energy harvester apparatus, system and method. A cantilevered beam resonator includes a cantilever beam and a base defined by the ends of the cantilever beam. The cantilevered beam resonator further includes a piezoelectric transducer composed of one or more piezoelectric components. The piezoelectric transducer is generally mounted beneath the base of the cantilevered beam resonator. In some example embodiments, the piezoelectric component can be configured in a split electrode configuration composed of a single split arrangement or more than one split (e.g., two splits, three splits, four splits, and so on).

Abstract: The present invention is a method that (i) allows for creating micro and/or nanostructures on either planar or non-planar three-dimensional surfaces in a single molding step, and (ii) allows for the molded production of complex high-aspect ratio micro and/or nanostructures including but not limited to cylinders, conical structures, low aspect-ratio channels, bumps, or posts. An example of such a complex structure are high aspect ratio pillars with enlarged “mushroom-shaped” or undercut tips which demonstrate enhanced, repeatable adhesion and shear strength on a variety of substrates when compared with other micro and/or nanostructures and unstructured materials. The mold of such a material requires an “undercut” feature that cannot be produced using typical micro/nano-molding processing techniques.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.