New Adhesive Lets People Scale Walls Just Like Geckos Do
- 9 years ago
Scientists at Stanford University have made an adhesive that bestows gecko-like climbing abilities onto humans.
Scientists at Stanford University have made an adhesive that bestows gecko-like climbing abilities onto humans.
The material was actually inspired by the unique sticking power of gecko feet.
What makes the animal so extraordinary is that the small hairs on the underside of its toes can provide ample adhesion when desired, yet completely release their hold when no longer needed.
This is accomplished through a combination of weight shifting and electrical attraction.
By closely studying this gecko superpower, the researchers were able to come up with a number of adhesive concoctions and devices of their own.
The problem with all of them is that they only work in low weight situations.
Thus, they’re not quite ready to make the transition into big time uses like moving around enormous solar panels or cleaning up space debris.
They are, however, usable by humans who would like to scale glass walls.
Outfitted with gecko-inspired adhesive hand gear and a special mechanism for managing foot movement, a grad student was able to make it about 10 feet up the side of a building.
Developers say that the contraption could theoretically allow for the scaling of the world’s tallest building, but in reality it may prove to be too physically exhausting a trek.
The system needs to be tested in real world situations such as dust and rain, and the group is also working with NASA on space applications.
Scientists at Stanford University have made an adhesive that bestows gecko-like climbing abilities onto humans.
The material was actually inspired by the unique sticking power of gecko feet.
What makes the animal so extraordinary is that the small hairs on the underside of its toes can provide ample adhesion when desired, yet completely release their hold when no longer needed.
This is accomplished through a combination of weight shifting and electrical attraction.
By closely studying this gecko superpower, the researchers were able to come up with a number of adhesive concoctions and devices of their own.
The problem with all of them is that they only work in low weight situations.
Thus, they’re not quite ready to make the transition into big time uses like moving around enormous solar panels or cleaning up space debris.
They are, however, usable by humans who would like to scale glass walls.
Outfitted with gecko-inspired adhesive hand gear and a special mechanism for managing foot movement, a grad student was able to make it about 10 feet up the side of a building.
Developers say that the contraption could theoretically allow for the scaling of the world’s tallest building, but in reality it may prove to be too physically exhausting a trek.
The system needs to be tested in real world situations such as dust and rain, and the group is also working with NASA on space applications.