Actively switchable nano-structured adhesive

US7914912B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Ronald S. Fearing · Sacramento, US
• Abraham Galton Bachrach · San Francisco, US
• Richard Groff · Berkeley, US
• Carmel Majidi · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 10, 2005
• Grant date: Mar 29, 2011
• Expiry date: Mar 2, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/32
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Described herein is a microstructure having a substrate and a plurality of nano-fibers attached to the substrate. Each nano-fiber moves between the first and second states without an external mechanical load being applied to the nano-fibers. Each nano-fiber is configured to move between a first state and a second state in response to applied electricity, magnetism, chemical solution, heat, or light. Each nano-fiber is straight in the first state and curved in the second state, and when the nano-fibers are in the second state and in contact with a contact surface, the nano-fibers adhere to the contact surface.