(251b) Effect of Surface Roughness on the Adhesion Force Between a Mosquito Foot and Polymer Surfaces

In this project, we aim to quantify the force of adhesion between the feet of mosquitos and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adhesion force between a mosquito’s foot and a flat HDPE sheet is compared with that generated between a mosquito’s foot and rough polymer sheets. The mosquito’s foot consists of hairy structures. These structures have the potential to make multiple contacts with a surface thereby increasing the true contact area and adhesion force (through van der Waals interactions and/or capillary forces). We create rough polymer surfaces using mechanical drilling. The adhesion force is measured using atomic force microscopy by recording force distance curves.