Gecko feet inspire adhesive
An amazing new adhesive has been developed by UK resesarchers, inspired by the science behind a gecko’s feet. According to the developers, one square metre of the resuable polymer, named “Synthetic Gecko”, could hold the weight of the average family car.
Geckos have millions of tiny mushroom-like hairs on their feet which provide grip. The new adhesive uses the same principles.
The future applications of such a material are limited only by imagination - but suggested possibilites include aircraft repair, skin grafts, and a superman-style suit which would allow window cleaners, for example, to climb up buildings unaided.
