Kappl, M., Kaveh, F. and Barnes, W. J. P. (2016) Nanoscale friction and adhesion of tree frog toe pads. Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, 11(3), 035003. (doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/11/3/035003) (PMID:27165465)
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Abstract
Tree frogs have become an object of interest in biomimetics due to their ability to cling to wet and slippery surfaces. In this study, we have investigated the adhesion and friction behavior of toe pads of White's tree frog (Litoria caerulea) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in an aqueous medium. Facilitating special types of AFM probes with radii of ~400 nm and ~13 μm, we were able to sense the frictional response without damaging the delicate nanopillar structures of the epithelial cells. While we observed no significant adhesion between both types of probes and toe pads in wet conditions, frictional forces under such conditions were very pronounced and friction coefficients amounted between 0.3 and 1.1 for the sliding friction between probes and the epithelial cell surfaces.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | The authors acknowledge funding by priority program SPP1420 of the German Science Foundation. |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Barnes, Dr William |
Authors: | Kappl, M., Kaveh, F., and Barnes, W. J. P. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences |
Journal Name: | Bioinspiration and Biomimetics |
Publisher: | IOP Publishing |
ISSN: | 1748-3182 |
ISSN (Online): | 1748-3190 |
Published Online: | 11 May 2016 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd |
First Published: | First published in Bioinspiration and Biomimetics 11(3): 035003 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
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