Berlin 2024 – scientific programme
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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik
O 27: Tribology
O 27.1: Talk
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 10:30–10:45, MA 144
Anisotropic Friction of Snake Scales Analyzed by Atomic Force Microscopy - From Fundamentals to Applications — Weibin Wu1,2, K. M. Samaun Reza1, Patrick Weiser1, Cornelia Friederike Pichler1, Richard Thelen1, and •Hendrik Hölscher1 — 1Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kalsruhe, Germany — 2now at: Institute of Noise and Vibration, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, P.R. China
As snakes are limbless, they have to locomote in direct contact with the ground. Therefore, the ventral scales of many snake species are equipped with nano-step structures to achieve anisotropic friction for efficient locomotion. Here, we present our study of this structural frictional anisotropy by atomic force microscopy showing that the frictional anisotropy correlates with the height of the nanosteps. The frictional anisotropy of the nano-stepped surface can be employed for the unidirectional transport of microscale particles through small random vibrations. Due to the frictional anisotropy, the micro-particles drift in the direction of lower friction. This feature can be employed for the dry self-cleaning of surfaces like photovoltaic modules in sunny but dry areas where soiling is an issue.
Keywords: nanotribology; anisotropic friction; snake scales