Hairy Adhesives

Ant writes "Science Daily has an article about scientists having found that the way spiders stick to ceilings could be the key to making Post-it notes that don't fall off even when they are wet. A team from Germany and Switzerland have made the first detailed examinations of a jumping spider's 'foot' and have discovered that a molecular force sticks the spider to almost anything. The force is so strong that these spiders could carry over 170 times their own body weight while standing on the ceiling. The research is published today (Monday 19 April 2004) in the Institute of Physics journal Smart Materials and Structures." Other researchers are actually exploring ways to make a sort of non-glue adhesive tape.

Comments

"standing on the ceiling"

[Rick the Red]

That's a neat trick. I always thought it was "hanging from the ceiling."

Got to hand it to them

[Anonymous Coward]

"the key to making Post-it notes that don't fall off even when they are wet."

Hurrah - one of the great problems of our times is about to be solved! But seriously, a quick experiment with a post-it note and my bottle of whisky shows that they stick rather well when wet.

Re:Got to hand it to them

[slickwillie]

Yah, I've never had a problem with my post-its getting too wet to operate correctly.

But the thought of supporting 170 times my weight is interesting. Can I climb up the sides of tall buildings clutching a handful of post-its?

Re:If spiders are so tough

[Anonymous Coward]

Sorry, I cat spell.

that explains it...

[austad]

This might explain why all of the late night NOC guys always have sticky hands. But what would make their palms hairy? hmmm...

link?

[chachob]

hmm...why is the link to Post-It notes to the post-it software? those don't need to be stuck to a surface...