Adhesion control for micro- and nanomanipulation

ACS Nano. 2011 Jun 28;5(6):4648-57. doi: 10.1021/nn200658z. Epub 2011 Jun 9.

Abstract

The adhesion between a micro/nano-object and a microgripper end-effector is an important problem in micromanipulation. Canceling or reducing this force is a great challenge. This force is directly linked to the surface chemical structure of the object and the gripper. We propose to predict this force between a structuring surface and a micro-object with a multisphere van der Waals force model. The surface was structured by polystyrene latex particles (PS particles) with radii from 35 to 2000 nm. The model was compared with experimental pull-off force measurements performed by AFM with different natures of spheres materials glued on the tipless. A wide range of applications, in the field of telecommunications, bioengineering, and more generaly speaking MEMS can be envisaged for these substrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adhesiveness
  • Equipment Design
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Latex / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Micromanipulation / methods*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Microspheres
  • Models, Statistical
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Silicates / chemistry
  • Static Electricity
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Latex
  • Polystyrenes
  • Silicates