title: Spring model of biological attachment pads.
abstract: Many animals bear adhesive pads on their limbs to attach to a variety of surfaces. Previous force measurements on pads of the great green bushcricket (Tettigonia viridissima) have shown that the maximum adhesion force depends on the initially applied force [Jiao et al., 2000. J. Exp. Biol. 203 (12), 1887-1895]. We have developed a model that explains this behaviour. The adhesive pad is modelled as a flexible layer that consists of independent linear springs connected to a rigid sphere. Each spring can generate an adhesive contact with the surface by means of the capillary force or due to van der Waals interactions. The model shows a very good agreement with the experiments.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Mechanik, Technische Universität Berlin, Sekr.C8-4, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany. schargott@friction-physics.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schargott
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Popov
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gorb
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004548:Elasticity; D005121:Extremities / Q000502:physiology*; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008954:Models, Biological; D013499:Surface Properties