1. Flexible Mold for Microstructures Replication
- Author
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Ren, Zefu, Kim, Dae Won, Ren, Zefu, and Kim, Dae Won
- Abstract
Space debris has been a growing concern in space exploration sector. To combat this issue, biomimicry is utilized to create a gecko’s feet microstructure that will be attached to a gripper or robotic arm. This will enable capture of debris through the use of dry adhesive microstructure. However, the production of such microstructures is expensive which hinders their implementation. The objective of this research is to develop an advanced fabrication process to mass produce gecko’s feet microstructure with soft polymer mold. The possibility of using different coating methods with coating materials will be justified. The process of fabricating mold and replicating mold will be optimized. The method of mass producing microstructures will be verified and the limitation of the method will also be studied.
- Published
- 2021