Geckos' ability to stick to trees and leaves during
rainforest downpours has fascinated scientists for decades, leading a group of
University of Akron researchers to solve the mystery.
They discovered that wet, hydrophobic (water-repellent) surfaces
like those of leaves and tree trunks secure a gecko's grip similar to the way
dry surfaces do. The finding brings UA integrated bioscience doctoral candidate
Alyssa Stark and her research colleagues closer to developing a synthetic
adhesive that sticks when wet.