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Biological Fibrillar Adhesives: Functional Principles and Biomimetic Applications

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  • First Online:
Handbook of Adhesion Technology

Abstract

Specific mechanisms of adhesion found in nature are discussed in the previous chapter (chapter “Bioadhesives”). One of the most discussed biological systems in the last decade are the so-called fibrillar adhesives of insects, spiders, and geckos. These systems are adapted for dynamic adhesion of animals during locomotion and, therefore, have some extraordinary properties, such as (1) directionality, (2) preload by shear, (3) quick detachment by peeling, (4) low dependence on the substrate chemistry, (5) reduced ability to contamination and self-cleaning, and (6) the absence or strong reduction of self-adhesion. In the present chapter, we review functional principles of such biological systems in various animal groups with an emphasis on insects and discuss their biomimetic potential. The data on ultrastructure and mechanics of materials of adhesive pads, movements during contact formation and breakage, the role of the fluid in the contact between the pad and substrate are presented here. The main goal is to demonstrate how a comparative experimental approach in studies of biological systems aids in the development of novel adhesive materials and systems. The microstructured adhesive systems, inspired by studies of biological systems of insects, spiders, and geckos, are also shortly reviewed.

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  1. Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute at the University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, 24118, Kiel, Germany

    Stanislav N. Gorb & Lars Heepe

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  1. Stanislav N. Gorb
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  2. Lars Heepe
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Correspondence to Stanislav N. Gorb .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Lucas F. M. da Silva

  2. Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus), Southport Queensland, Australia

    Andreas Öchsner

  3. Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

    Robert D. Adams

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Gorb, S.N., Heepe, L. (2017). Biological Fibrillar Adhesives: Functional Principles and Biomimetic Applications. In: da Silva, L., Öchsner, A., Adams, R. (eds) Handbook of Adhesion Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42087-5_54-2

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