초록 ▼

A fabricated microstructure includes a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are capable of providing substantially parallel adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2000 nano-Newtons. A flexible shaft supports the protrusions, and a flexible member or beam is attached to the shaft t

A fabricated microstructure includes a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are capable of providing substantially parallel adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2000 nano-Newtons. A flexible shaft supports the protrusions, and a flexible member or beam is attached to the shaft to form a manipulator or gripper device.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of: using a flexible beam to apply a seta to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about

What is claimed is: 1. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of: using a flexible beam to apply a seta to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams; using the flexible beam to orient said seta parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and using the flexible beam to pull said seta with a force parallel to said surface. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adhesive force is greater than the cumulative force of said applying and pulling steps. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of eliminating said adhesive force by creating a force to produce a detachment angle between said seta and said surface. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said eliminating step includes a step of creating a force to produce a detachment angle of between about 25�� and 35�� between said seta and said surface. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein said eliminating step includes the step of: creating a force to produce a detachment angle of approximately 30�� between said seta and said surface. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said flexible beam produces a preload force while maintaining a substantially parallel alignment of the seta with the surface. 7. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of: using a flexible beam to apply a seta to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams; using the flexible beam to orient said seta parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and using the flexible beam to pull said seta at a velocity to increase an adhesive force exerted by said seta on said surface. 8. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of: using a flexible beam to apply a plurality of protrusions on a supporting structure to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams; using the flexible beam to orient said plurality of protrusions parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and using the flexible beam to pull said plurality of protrusions with a force parallel to said surface. 9. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of: using a flexible beam to apply a plurality of protrusions on a supporting structure to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible so as to produce a preload adhesive force of between about 0.01 and 0.10 grams; using the flexible beam to orient said plurality of protrusions parallel to said surface while maintaining the preload force; and using the flexible beam to pull said plurality of protrusions at a velocity to increase an adhesive force exerted by said plurality of protrusions on said surface. 10. The method of claims 8 or 9 wherein the supporting structure is a substantially planar substrate. 11. The method of claims 8 or 9 wherein the supporting structure is a shaft. 12. A method of establishing an adhesive force, said method comprising the steps of: using a flexible beam to apply a plurality of protrusions on a supporting structure to a surface with a force perpendicular to said surface, wherein the beam is sufficiently flexible to produce an adhesive preload force while maintaining a substantially parallel alignment of said plurality of protrusions with said surface; and using the flexible beam to pull said plurality of protrusions with a force parallel to said surface.