Abstract
Many animals have the natural ability to move on various surfaces, such as those having different roughness and slope substrates, or even vertical walls and ceilings. Legged animals primarily attach to surfaces using claws, soft and hairy pads, or combinations of them. Recent studies have indicated that the frictional forces generated by these structures not only control the movement of animals but also significantly increase the reliability of their attachment. Moreover, the frictional forces of various animals have opposite characteristics and hierarchical properties from toe-to-toe and leg-to-leg. These opposite frictional forces allow animals to attach securely and stably during movement. The coordination of several attachment (adhesion) modes not only helps animals adhere, which would be impossible in single mode, but also increases the overall stability of the attachment (adhesion) system. These findings can help the design of highly adaptable feet for bionic robots in the near future.
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Zhouyi WANG Doctor, obtained his Master degree in 2009 from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA). He studied as a PhD Candidate since 2009 at Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, NUAA. His interested research areas include tribology, bionics, animal kinematics and dynamics. He has participated in many research projects and has published 12 papers on international journals.
Zhendong DAI Professor and tutor of PhD students, obtained his doctor degree in 1999 from College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, NUAA. He is one of the Chinese delegates of International Institute of Bionic Engineering, an executive member of the council of Chinese Mechanical Engineering in Tribology, and a member of the academic committee of State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication. He also is a member of editorial board of many academic journals such as Journal of Bionic Engineering, International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous System, Tribology and so on. He was invited to attend the Advisory Seminar about the development planning of American science foundation and invited to give lectures in Case Western Reserve University, UC San Diego, GIT, Kyoto University, Yonsei University, Cambridge University in 2010. His research areas include bionics, light material, control of bionics, bio-robots, and biological robots. He has successively presided and participated in many research projects and has published more than 200 papers and gotten more than 15 patents.
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Wang, Z., Song, Y. & Dai, Z. Use of opposite frictional forces by animals to increase their attachment reliability during movement. Friction 1, 143–149 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-013-0009-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-013-0009-z