Nanoadhesion structures for sporting gear

Abstract

An apparatus including a first surface configured to attach the apparatus to a second surface of another object, and a plurality of elongated nanofibers. Each nanofiber has one end connected to the first surface and an opposite end extending away from the first surface. The plurality of elongated nanofibers is configured to adhere to the second surface by nanoadhesion when brought into contact with the second surface.

1 . A running shoe used by a runner, the shoe comprising:
 an upper, said upper configured to fit over a top portion of a runner's foot;   a midsole, the midsole configured to provide cushion to a bottom portion of the runner's foot and is connected to the upper via a sewn interface; and   an outsole, the outsole configured to provide traction between the running shoe and a running surface and is connected to the midsole via a nanofibril dry adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The running shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanofibril dry adhesive includes a first set of nanofibers and a second set of nanofibers, the first set of nanofibers being attached to a first mounting surface on a lower surface of the midsole and the second set of nanofibers being attached to a second mounting surface on an upper surface of the outsole. 
     
     
         3 . The running shoe according to  claim 2 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers is generally perpendicular to the first mounting surface and each nanofiber in the second set of nanofibers is generally perpendicular to the second mounting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The running shoe according to  claim 2 , wherein each nanofiber has a diameter of 250 nm to 1 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The running shoe according to  claim 2 , wherein each nanofiber has a length of 5 to 100 μm. 
     
     
         6 . A component of a running shoe used by a runner, the component comprising:
 an upper, said upper configured to fit over a top portion of a runner's foot;   a midsole, the midsole configured to provide cushion to a bottom portion of the runner's foot and is connected to the upper via a sewn interface, the midsole including a first set of nanofibers attached to a first mounting surface on a lower surface of the midsole, the first set of nanofibers configured to attach to a second set of nanofibers attached to a second mounting surface on an upper surface of an outsole.   
     
     
         7 . The component according to  claim 6 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers is generally perpendicular to the first mounting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The component according to  claim 6 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers has a diameter of 250 nm to 1 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The component according to  claim 6 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers has a length of 5 to 100 μm. 
     
     
         10 . A outsole of a running shoe used by a runner, the outsole comprising:
 a lower surface configured to provide traction between a running shoe and a running surface; and   an upper surface including a first set of nanofibers, the first set of nanofibers configured to attach to a second set of nanofibers attached to a lower surface of a midsole of the running shoe.   
     
     
         11 . The outsole according to  claim 10 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers is generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the outsole. 
     
     
         12 . The outsole according to  claim 10 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers has a diameter of 250 nm to 1 μm. 
     
     
         13 . The outsole according to  claim 10 , wherein each nanofiber in the first set of nanofibers has a length of 5 to 100 μm.