Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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."

7 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. NOT what you think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you RTFA you will see that this new adhesive is not based on the nano-scale properties of gecko feet, but is the first space adhesive that doubles as a delightful gecko-flavored paste in emergencies.

    1. Re:NOT what you think by clone53421 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Bwahaha, you can't get me to read TFA that easily!

      --
      Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
  2. Re:magnetic by SnarfQuest · · Score: 4, Funny

    Magnetic stickers only work on refrigerators. Since it's colder on the outside of the space station, you can only use them on the inside.

    --
    Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
  3. Re:magnetic by Red+Flayer · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's rubbish. Magnetic stickers don't work in space because there is no North or South pole to point to.

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  4. Re:Useful Lifespan? by Ohrion · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well, according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko dust and dirt that could prevent the van der Waals forces that geckos toes use, are removed within a couple steps due to "self-cleaning" properties. If they are able to reproduce the effect properly, the lifespan of the product could be quite significant.

  5. Re:magnetic by SnarfQuest · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Someone needs to collect all the scientific knowledge expressed in slashdot posts, and write a text book. Why hide this useful archive of scientific truths in obscure blog posts when we can use it to illuminate the minds of the children?

    --
    Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
  6. Re:magnetic by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm just practicing for when my daughter gets old enough to start asking "why?" about everything.

    I am SO going to screw her up for elementary school science classes.

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai