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Nano Research & Applications
ISSN 2471-9838
September 11-12, 2017 Amsterdam, Netherlands
20
th
International Conference on
Advanced Nanotechnology
Notes:
Advanced Nano 2017
Bioinspired gradient micro- and nanostructured
surfaces with controlling of dynamic wettability
B
iological surfaces create the enigmatical reality to
be contributed to learning of human beings. They
cooperate between endlessly arranged various-style
gradient micro- and nanostructures (MN) that greatly
provide with excellent functions via natural evolvement.
Such biological surfaces with multi-gradient micro-
and nanostructures display unique wetting functions
in nature for water collection and water repellency,
which have inspired researchers to design originality of
materials for promising future. In nature, 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 the water collecting ability of spider silk, a series
of functional fibers with unique wettability has been
designed by various improved techniques such as dip-
coating, fluid-coating, tilt-angle coating, electro-spun
and self-assembly, to combine the Rayleigh instability
theory. The geometrically-engineered thin fibers display
a strong water capturing ability than previously thought.
The bead-on-string hetero structured 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. An electro spun fiber at micro-level can be
fabricated by the self-assembly wet-rebuilt process,
thus the fiber displays strong hanging-droplet ability.
The temperature or photo or roughness-responsive
fibers can achieve a controlling on droplet driving
in directions, which contribute to water collection in
efficiency. 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.
Biography
Yongmei Zheng is a Professor at School of Chemistry, Beihang University.
Her research interests include “Bioinspired surfaces with gradient micro- and
nanostructures to control dynamic wettability, and develop the surfaces with
characteristics of water repellency, anti-icing, and anti-frosting, or fog-harvesting,
tiny droplet transport, water collection, fog-harvesting and so on”. Her research work
was highlighted as Scientist on News of Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemistry
World in 2014. She is a senior member of Chinese Composite Materials Society
(CSCM), member of Chinese Chemistry Society (CCS) and American Chemistry
Society (ACS).
zhengym@buaa.edu.cnYongmei Zheng
Beihang University, China
Yongmei Zheng, Nano Res Appl 2017, 3:3
DOI: 10.21767/2471-9838-C1-001