Nature uses nanoscale fibers for a wide range of functions such as sensing, adhesion, structural color, and self-cleaning. However, little is known about how fiber properties enable them to self-assemble into diverse and complex functional forms. We demonstrate how the combination of mechanical and surface properties can be harnessed to transform an array of anchored nanofibers into a variety of complex, hierarchically organized dynamic functional surfaces. We show that the delicate balance between fiber elasticity and surface adhesion plays a critical role in determining the shape, chirality, and hierarchy of the assembled structures. We further report a strategy for programming the fiber assemblies for reversible, responsive behaviors through rationally chosen surface chemistry. These approaches provide a foundation for designing a vast assortment of functional surfaces with adhesive, optical, water-repellent, capture and release, and many more capabilities with the structural and dynamic sophistication of their biological counterparts.

Steering nanostructures: Controlling self-assembly of bio-inspired nanofibers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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