Abstract
The toe surface of the gecko has two elaborate hierarchica1 structures, micro-scale seta array and nano-scale spatula array, which result in the van der Waals force because of the realization of molecu1ar contact between the spatulas and contact surfaces. Because gecko adhesives rely on van der Waals force to create adhesion, they are fundamentally insensitive to temperature, pressure, and radiation. This makes them ideally suited for space applications. Key to this new capability, targets will not need special preparation; gecko adhesives can be used for capturing space objects like space debris. A tool with fixed gecko adhesives that can grip a variety of surfaces, both rigid and soft, without the need for careful planning, is needed to assure success. Gecko adhesive technology that mimics the ability of gecko to adhere to a target, will be a new way of on-orbit docking.
Firstly, the development of on-orbit docking technologies is discussed. The progress of domestic (Chinese) and foreign efforts made in this domain was summarized, including the attachment and detachment mechanisms of biomimetic gecko micro/nano-structures adhesive array and the fabrication methods. Then, various possible applications of the adhesive array in space are analyzed. Finally, the key technologies are proposed that aim at researching the adhesion and contact mechanism and design the parameters suitable for fabricating good capability biomimetic gecko micro-arrays.
Keywords
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Chen, L., Du, S., Lv, Q., Wang, M., Fu, D. (2017). Biomimetic Gecko Micro/Nano-Structures Adhesive Array for Space Application. In: Kleiman, J. (eds) Protection of Materials and Structures from the Space Environment. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, vol 47. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19309-0_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19309-0_19
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