Geckos Climb Walls Using Static Electricity
- 10 years ago
According to a recent study by researchers at Yale University, the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Institute for Polymer Research, and the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, gecko lizards can climb on walls and ceilings using static electricity. Experts had previously thought that something called Van der Waas forces between the surface and tiny hairs on gecko’s feet were what allowed them to climb on vertical or inverted surfaces.
According to a recent study by researchers at Yale University, the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Institute for Polymer Research, and the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, gecko lizards can climb on walls and ceilings using static electricity.
Experts had previously thought that something called Van der Waals forces between the surface and tiny hairs on gecko’s feet were what allowed them to climb on vertical or inverted surfaces.
But the study found that electrons leave the gecko’s feet as they climb a wall, making the lizard positively charged on a negatively charged surface.
Geckos can hang from the ceiling by one foot, and they can let go by simply adjusting the position of their foot, because the adhesive effect is directional.
Duncan Irschick, a biologist at the University of Massachusetts who is developing a synthetic, reusable adhesive based on gecko feet is quoted as saying: "The research clearly shows how electrostatic forces can play an additional role in...geckos, which is an aspect that had not been previously considered.”
Some experts disagree with he findings of the study, so further investigation is needed.
According to a recent study by researchers at Yale University, the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Institute for Polymer Research, and the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, gecko lizards can climb on walls and ceilings using static electricity.
Experts had previously thought that something called Van der Waals forces between the surface and tiny hairs on gecko’s feet were what allowed them to climb on vertical or inverted surfaces.
But the study found that electrons leave the gecko’s feet as they climb a wall, making the lizard positively charged on a negatively charged surface.
Geckos can hang from the ceiling by one foot, and they can let go by simply adjusting the position of their foot, because the adhesive effect is directional.
Duncan Irschick, a biologist at the University of Massachusetts who is developing a synthetic, reusable adhesive based on gecko feet is quoted as saying: "The research clearly shows how electrostatic forces can play an additional role in...geckos, which is an aspect that had not been previously considered.”
Some experts disagree with he findings of the study, so further investigation is needed.