Astounding adhesive

"I will demonstrate how mathematical models we have developed will be used to gear the fabrication of the next generation of dry adhesives. Since the latter rely on van der Waals forces for adhesion, they can stick to almost any material in any environment or media, including in vacuum or under liquids.” Dr Noshir S. Pesika who has been The Robert and Gayle Longmire Early Career Professor in Chemical Engineering at Tulane University for the last five years offered a preview of his speech on "Sticky and Slippery Materials” that was to be delivered in end January at the City College of New York. In 2005 Pesika had obtained his PhD in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Johns Hopkins University where he developed a novel microfabrication technique involving microcontact printing and electrochemistry that led to a provisional patent.
The 36-year-old chemical engineer’s talk was expected to cover some of his "preliminary work on the use of highly monodispersed carbon microspheres as micro-bearings to lubricate surfaces. The performance of these particles as an aqueous lubricant to reduce friction as well as minimize surface wear will be shown. Potential applications for these particles in different formulations include an alternative to oil-based lubricants, and a replacement for synovial fluid. In the second part of my talk, I will present our work on the design and fabrication of dry polymeric adhesives mimicking gecko (a nocturnal and highly vocal lizard that has adhesive pads on its feet) adhesion. The mechanisms by which geckos are able to adhere strongly yet detach easily and quickly will be shown.”
Born and raised in Mauritius until he was 16, Pesika then moved to Pittsburgh, USA to complete his high school before joining the Carnegie Mellon University from where he obtained his bachelors degree in chemical engineering and French. His honors include a graduate student fellowship from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as mentioned on the Tulane University website. Following his PhD he joined the University of California in Santa Barbara and earned a postdoctoral fellowship to study the nanoscale contact mechanics of geckos. To date Pesika has authored 13 peer-reviewed journals.
"Although my career has been in the science, I have a passion for the arts. I enjoy drawing and sculpture… (and) playing soccer over the weekends,” Pesika responded to Parsiana’s queries. With his parents Sheriar and Kamla, and brothers Nevil and Rohinton living in Columbus, Ohio, Pesika says, "I have always found the Zoroastrian community to be very caring and helpful. The community is very supportive and I have found Zoroastrians to be generally happy people. I follow the basic belief of our religion, ‘good thoughts, good words and good deeds,’ and try to apply these principles in all aspects of my life. It saddens me to learn that the Zoroastrian community is gradually decreasing but I am hopeful that changes can be made by the community to ensure that the religion lives on.” He knows of some Zoroastrian families in the New Orleans area but says he has not been able to get fully involved in community activities "due to time constraints.”