Need help manipulating Van der Walls Force

[hemi426]

Hi,
Its my first time so forgive me if I miss something.

I know a bit about physics. Protons +1, electrons -1, and neutrons have a charge of 0. Opposite charges attract and similar charges repel.
Van der waals force deals with electrostatic interactions between molecules.
We all know that a baloon rubbed on hair will "stick" because of a static charge. I am looking to do the same thing to objects but have them repel instead. The only catch is i need to do it in a more practical manner using electricity and it needs to be practicaly small in size (smaller than 2in^3 would be ideal) no van der graff generators

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PYVTQ9GaxE&feature=channel_page
This video show a kid who created one and is using it to stick cards and other objects to the wall.

Does anyone know more about how to create one or where I can find out how to create one?

I am also interested in how a geckos foot uses van der waals forces to stick to almost any surface. It does this using lots of seta or little bristels each a few nanometers thick. Does anyone know where to buy a material like this?
thanks in advance

 

[hemi426]

Can anybody point me in the right direction?

 

[sir-pinski]

Hi there,

Manipulating Van der Waals forces can be a tricky task, but it is definitely possible with the right approach. First of all, it's great that you have an understanding of basic physics principles such as charge and electrostatic interactions between molecules.

One way to manipulate Van der Waals forces is by using an external electric field. This can be achieved by using a device called an electroadhesive pad. It works by applying a high voltage to a conductive pad, which creates an electric field that can either attract or repel objects depending on the polarity of the field. These pads are commonly used in robotics and can be purchased online.

Another option is to use a material with a high surface energy. Van der Waals forces are stronger between molecules with high surface energies, so by choosing a material with a high surface energy, you can increase the strength of these forces and potentially achieve the desired repelling effect. Some materials with high surface energies include certain types of plastics, rubber, and silicone.

In terms of creating a device similar to the one in the video you shared, you can try experimenting with different materials and their surface energies to see if you can achieve the desired repelling effect. As for the gecko's foot, the setae or tiny bristles are made of a material called keratin, which is a protein found in hair and nails. You can try using materials with similar properties to achieve a similar effect.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project!