Nanowire-based Chemical Connector for Miniature-Scale Applications
- Technology Benefits
- - Efficient binding at both micro- and macro-scale dimensions; - Specific and versatile binding; - Reusable; - Tunable binding properties; - High macroscopic shear adhesion strength; - Minimal binding to non-self-similar surfaces; - Anisotropic adhesion behavior;
- Technology Application
- Connector applications that require reversible and specific binding between miniature components.
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- Others
-
Testing
Tests indicate that the innovative nanowire connectors exhibit high macroscopic shear adhesion strength (~163 N/cm^2), with minimal binding to non-self-similar surfaces, anisotropic adhesion behavior (shear to normal strength ratio ~25), reusability (~27 attach/detach cycles), and efficient binding for both micro- and macro-scale dimensions.
Tech ID/UC Case
18103/2009-107-0
Related Cases
2009-107-0
- *Abstract
-
At millimeter dimensions or less, conventional mechanical, electrostatic, and magnetic connectors (e.g. buttons, zippers, Velcro, etc) encounter performance and reliability degradation that is problematic for applications that require specific binding of miniaturized components. Moreover, while universal adhesives (e.g. tapes, glues, and synthetic gecko-inspired adhesives -- see B00-046) enable efficient binding at miniature dimensions, these universal adhesives don't support connector applications that need reversible and specific binding between components (as opposed to permanent and universal binding).
To address those needs, researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new type of chemical connector based on nanowires. The nanowire connectors enable highly specific and versatile binding of components, and they have unique properties that are tunable through composition control of the nanowire components.
- *Principal Investigator
-
Name: Ali Javey
Department:
Name: Hyunhyub Ko
Department:
Name: Ronald Fearing
Department:
Name: Jongho Lee
Department:
Name: Bryan Schubert
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
