Switchable Dry Adhesion Using Shape Memory Polymer

摘要

The use of thermoplastic shape memory polymers as a direct method to manufacture synthetic dry adhesives has several advantages including: fast processing time, easy control of adhesion strength through temperature, and high adhesion strength via viscoelastic dissipation of energy. The combination of tunable modulus and extremely good recovery of plastic deformation leads to a very flexible method of producing highly controllable adhesives with potentially much higher strengths than has been demonstrated previously. This is believed to be the first work demonstrating the direct thermocompression molding of SMP fibers with mushroom shapes where previous work was limited to curable SMPs or non-overhanging geometries. SEM imaging shows that the SMPs can be formed with sub-micron accuracy using a simple thermocompression molding process and silicone rubber molds. Future work will focus on integration of heaters, testing in an enclosed space to ensure uniform temperatures of fibers, and exploring the limits of SMP deformation and recovery for long term adhesive applications.