University of California

Lewis & Clark College

Leland Stanford Junior University

Kellar Autumn

Ronald S Fearing

Thomas W Kenny

Robert J Full

Steven D Jones

Wendy R Hansen

A fabricated microstructure includes a base and one or more nano-structures disposed on one or more portions of the base to adhere to a contact surface. The one or more portions of the base with the one or more nano-structures are located on the base such that, when the one or more nano-structures adhere to the contact surface and an external force is applied to peel the base from the contact surface, the one or more nano-structures in the one or more portions of the base facilitate or resist peeling of the nano-structures from the contact surface.

Controlling peel strength of micron-scale structures

An integrated circuit chip has one or more electrically conductive nano-fibers formed on one or more contact pads of the integrated circuit chip. The one or more electrically conductive nano-fibers are configured to provide an adhesive force by intermolecular forces and establish an electrical connection with one or more contact pads disposed on the surface of a chip package.

Fabricated adhesive microstructures for making an electrical connection

An apparatus for transporting an object from one workstation to another, where the object or workstations may be contaminated with unwanted dirt or dust particles. A movable transfer arm connected to a control unit has an end effector including an array of nano-scale projections, where each projection provides one or more distal contact ends. The density of the contact ends is such as to grip a surface of the object with an intermolecular force sufficient to hold the object for movement in accordance with a control unit program. In accordance with a control unit program, after moving the gripped object to the workstation, the end effector is manipulated to release the gripped object, and before, during or after transport of the object, bring the arm's end effector into contact with a cleaning surface.

Self-cleaning adhesive structure and methods

A method of forming an adhesive force includes removing a seta from a living specimen, attaching the seta to a substrate, and applying the seta to a surface so as to establish an adhesive force between the substrate and the surface. The seta is applied to the surface with a force perpendicular to the surface. The seta is then pulled with a force parallel to the surface so as to preload the adhesive force of the seta.

Adhesive microstructure and method of forming same

A method and apparatus for transporting an object from one workstation to another, where the object or workstations may be contaminated with unwanted dirt or dust particles, are disclosed. The object is gripped at one work station with a movable transfer arm. The movable transfer arm has an end effector including an array of nano-scale projections, where each projection provides one or more distal contact ends. The density of the contact ends is such as to grip a surface of the object with an intermolecular force sufficient to hold the object for movement After moving the gripped object to the workstation, the end effector is manipulated to release the gripped object. Before, during or after transport of the object, the arm's end effector is brought into contact with a cleaning surface.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Kellar Autumn