Inspired by the tiny foot hairs that allow geckos to run up walls and across ceilings, Ali Dhinojwala fixed tiny carbon tubes to the surface of flexible plastic to create tape that can support hundreds of pounds of weight. The new adhesive, which has resulted in two National Science Foundation grants, could be used underwater or in space because its bond works totally differently from the glue used today.
By bundling threads of spider silk 50 times thinner than human hair into thin ropes, Todd Allen Blackledge and Dhinojwala created a muscle to do some serious heavy lifting. The University of Akron professors believe that larger cords of spider silk, which expands and contracts with extreme force as humidity levels change, could repeatedly lift a 10-ton truck. The technology could perform strenuous robotic lifting without using a motor and generate energy in environments with regular daily fluctuations in humidity.
Join UA professors Dhinojwala, H.A. Morton from the polymer science department and Matthew Kolodziej from UA’s Myers School of Art in Discussions About Biomimicry from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the UA Folk Hall Auditorium, Myers School of Art, 150 E. Exchange St.
The lectures start at 2:15 p.m. The presentation is part of the Integrated Bioscience seminar. Presentations on areas of biomimicry will occur weekly at the same time and location.
For more information, call 330-972-6030 or email ua.art@uakron.edu.
Student exhibition
Janice Driesbach, the new chief curator and acting director of the Akron Art Museum, is also curating the UA Myers School of Art’s 2013 Juried Student Exhibition.
Driesbach has chosen more than 50 student works for the exhibition, including ceramics, graphic design, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video.
The free opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 tonight. Free parking for visitors is available during the reception, and metered spaces are available during gallery hours.
The free exhibit is on view through Feb. 28 in the Emily Davis Gallery in Folk Hall, 150 E. Exchange St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
For more information, call 330-972-6030, email ua.art@uakron.edu or go to www.uakron.edu/art/galleries/emily-davis-gallery.dot.
Akron artist in CMA store
Leandra Drumm, who is quite used to having her work on display at her mom and dad’s store, Don Drumm Gallery, in Akron, is also having her work featured in the Cleveland Museum of Art Store during February. Drumm has a series of framed pewter sculptures that reveal warm images of love and family. An interview with the artist can be found at http://www.clevelandart.org/blog/featured-artist-leandra-drumm.
Thursday
Opening — The Empty Bowls fundraiser will open with a 5-7:30 p.m. reception at the Brecksville Center for the Arts, 8997 Highland Drive (a block south of state Route 82). For more information, call 440-526-6232, email info@brecksvillearts.org or go to www.brecksvillearts.org.
Friday
Meet the Artist — The Akron Woman’s City Club, 732 W. Exchange St., will hold a 5-7 p.m. reception for artist Mina Huang. For more information, call 330-762-6261 or go to www.akronwomanscityclub.com/our-activities/gallery-732/251.
Reception — The Market Street Art Spot, 217 N. Market St., Minerva, will celebrate its second anniversary with a 5-9 p.m. opening reception. For more information, call 330-862-2745 or 330-592-6306, or go to www.Marketstreetartspot.com.
Saturday
Wearable Art — Explore unique techniques with local artists and discover a new way to display art — wear it. Classes are open to teens ages 13 to 17 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Akron Art Museum’s classroom, where cold connections will be explored. Bring a discarded object and learn how to transform it into a wearable work using metalworking techniques of riveting and wire attachments. Materials, tools and instruction provided. Registration is required. Cost is $15, $10 members. For more information or to register, call 330-376-9185 or go to http://akronartmuseum.ticketleap.com/teen-class-cold-connections.
Sunday
British Drawings — The Cleveland Museum of Art will present British Drawings From the Cleveland Museum of Art, the first exhibition to showcase the collection of drawings ranging from the 18th century through the Edwardian era. The exhibition will be on view through May 26. For more information, call 216-421-7350 or go to www.clevelandart.org/events/exhibitions/british-drawings-cleveland-museum-art.
Worth Noting
Classes at Peninsula — The Peninsula Art Academy, 1600 W. Mill St., will offer several classes this week including Diane Talmadge, painting, 6-8:30 tonight; Fiber Arts for Kids with Carol Adams, 3-5:30 p.m. Friday; Abstraction with Carol Adams, 6-8:30 p.m. Friday; and Glassblowing 101 with Bob Pozarski, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call Peninsula Art Academy at 330-657-2248 or go to www.peninsulaartacademy.com.
Dorothy Shinn writes about art and architecture for the Akron Beacon Journal. Send information to her at the Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640 or dtgshinn@att.net.
