A biomimetic study of natural attachment mechanisms: imaging cellulose and chitin part 2

To create a model of a biomimetic product from the A. minus hook after a biomimetic methodology has been applied, this paper describes an investigation into the most appropriate method of shape acquisition for the purposes of reproduction and product development towards manufacture. This morphological study investigates confocal microscopy, SEM and other microscopy techniques. Confocal microscopy was selected as being most appropriate and small structures of cellulose and insect cuticle imaged. The benefits and disadvantages of this approach are noted. This paper is the result of research into microscopy techniques coupled with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. The result is this experiment with a single-phase confocal microscope to capture their 3-D images, both of cellulose and of chitin, without any specimen-specific treatment. Emphasis must be placed upon the cleanliness of the process since so many Natural attachment mechanisms are of this order of size and confocal microscopy offers opportunities for physical examination of microstructures and their interaction, in situ, with non-destructive inspection. This methodology has to develop further for the source of Nature's designs to be rifled for ideas.