University of Akron study may help inform future
bio-inspired gecko-like adhesives
Geckos are known for their sticky adhesive toes that allow
them to stick to, climb on, and run along surfaces in any orientation--even
upside down! But until recently, it was not well understood how geckos kept
their sticking ability even on wet surfaces, as are common in the tropical
regions in which most geckos live. A 2012 study in which geckos slipped on wet
glass perplexed scientists trying to unlock the key to gecko adhesion in
climates with plentiful rain and moisture.
A study supported by the National Science Foundation and
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week
solves the mystery, showing that wet, water-repellant surfaces, like those of
leaves and tree trunks, actually secure a gecko's grip in a manner similar to
dry surfaces.