Learning from Nature: interrogating snakes, fish and spiders for better sensing
Speaker: Vladimir Tsukruk, Georgia Institute of Technology
Series: MAE Departmental Seminars
Location:
Bowen Hall Room 222
Date/Time: Friday, April 19, 2013, 3:30 p.m.
- 4:30 p.m.
Abstract:
I will briefly overview recent results from our research group on designing responsive bio-inspired hybrid nanomaterials and microstructures with enhanced responsive behavior and sensing performance. , Particularly, suspended membranes of snake thermal receptors served as an example for the fabrication of freely standing flexible nanomembranes by means of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly which are explored as extremely sensitive un-cooled thermal and acoustic microsensors. In addition, examples of LbL assembly of compliant gel microcapsules with different shapes are discussed as intriguing delivery and storage vehicle and protective shells with controlled permeability and mechanics. In a second example, synthetic hydrogel capped hairs with record fluid flow detection limit were mimicked after biocupulae of blind cave fish which serve for robust underwater navigation of these species. Finally, unique micromechanical properties of air-sensing hairs of spiders are discussed based upon point-load surface force spectroscopy measurements.
