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Gecko-Inspired Tape Can Be Reused Thousands of Times
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."
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.
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Three years ago, the story had much better pictures. Alas, Oct 2008 was not a great time to raise capital. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=sticky-situation-gecko-toe-adhesive
Gently reply
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.
I heartily recommend you take a gander at one of these products.
No, velcro works by having tiny hooks grab fibers of cloth. Gecko feet (like this is patterned after) use van der Waals forces.
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