Gecko-Inspired Tape Can Be Reused Thousands of Times 95
Zothecula writes "As is so often the case these days for those searching for a better way to stick stuff together, researchers from the Zoological Institute at the University of Kiel in Germany have turned to the biology of gravity-defying ceiling walkers, such as geckos and insects. These creatures served as inspiration for a new dry adhesive tape that not only boasts impressive bonding strength, but can also be attached and detached thousands of times without losing its adhesive properties."
Re:OK, but (Score:5, Informative)
The little hairs bind to other matter using Van Der Walls forces.
If water does not stick to the little hairs, then dust won't either.
2008 Scientific American (Score:5, Informative)
Re:OK, but (Score:3, Informative)
Gecko feet are not sticky at all. The little hairs bind to other matter using Van Der Walls forces.
In other words, they are sticky.
Re:In the lab (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Velcro (Score:4, Informative)
No, velcro works by having tiny hooks grab fibers of cloth. Gecko feet (like this is patterned after) use van der Waals forces. [wikipedia.org]