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Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive Set For Space

Posted by timothy on from the for-all-your-sticking-to-stuff-needs dept.

AndreV writes "Biomimetic adhesives aren't new, but a PhD graduate in British Columbia has developed a new method of creating microscopic, mushroom-like plastic structures in order to produce a dry adhesive that mimics the stickiness of gecko feet—and is prepping his glue-free innovation for outer space. A research group at his university, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, is engineering a spider-like, sticky-footed climbing robot destined to explore Mars, and it is also developing reusable attaching systems for astronauts to use where magnetic and suction systems generally fail. In the future, he says, single-use versions could be used in any number of medical applications as well as for replacements for everyday sticky needs, such as Post-It notes and Scotch tape."

5 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. What's going on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    What the hell is with all my dinner napkins? After a few washes they've gone from being square to parallelogram or even some fucked up trapezoid shape. I can't even fold them properly anymore.

    1. Re:What's going on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Oh yeah, that's what happens to them if the get completely soaked in semen. The best way to get it out is just suck on each one until it is no longer crusty.

    2. Re:What's going on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Additionally, I find that urinating on each napkin helps to break up and dissolve the cum-crust so that it can easily be sucked off. It also lends a nice, sharp aromatic contrast to the mellow flavor of the semen.

  2. they should have used webkit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    but it's not my decision

  3. tubtgirl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    ultimately, we knowqs that ever