Y. Zheng
Beihang University,
China
Keywords: bioinspired, wettability, micro- and nanostructures
Summary:
Biological surfaces create the enigmatical reality to be contributed to learning of human beings. They run cooperate between of endlessly arranged various-style gradient micro- and nanostructures (MN) that greatly provide with excellent functions via natural evolvement. As known, a combination of multiple gradients in a periodic spindle-knot structure take on surface of spider silk after wet-rebuilding process in mist. This structure drives tiny water droplets directionally toward the spindle-knots for highly efficient water collection. Inspired by the roles of gradient MNs in spider silk, a series of functional fibers with unique wettability has been designed by various improved techniques such as dip-coating, fluid-coating, to combine the Rayleigh instability theory. The geometrically-engineered thin fibers display a strong water capturing ability than previously thought. The bead-on-string heterostructured fibers are capable of intelligently responding to environmental changes in humidity. Also a long-range gradient-step spindle-knotted fiber can be driven droplet directionally in a long range. Besides, inspired by gradient effects on butterfly wing and lotus leaves, the surfaces with ratchet MN, flexible lotus-like MN are fabricated successfully by improved methods, which demonstrate that the gradient MN effect rises up distinctly anti-icing, ice-phobic and de-ice abilities. These multifunctional materials can be designed and fabricated for promising applications such as water-collecting, anti-icing, anti-frosting, or anti-fogging properties for practical applications in aerospace, industry and so on.