Smart Gekko Tape

Conventional adhesive tape sticks when pressed on a surface. A new gecko-inspired synthetic adhesive (GSA) does not stick when it is pressed into a surface, but instead sticks when it slides on the surface. A similar directional adhesion effect allows real geckos to run up walls while rapidly attaching and detaching toes. The gecko-inspired adhesive uses hard plastic microfibers. The plastic is not itself sticky, but the millions of microscopic contacts work together to adhere. The number of contacts automatically increases to handle higher loads. A feature of the hard plastic gecko-inspired adhesive is that no residue is left on surfaces as is left by conventional adhesive tapes.

See http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/~ronf/Gecko/interface08.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Gecko
• Tape
• Science
• Adhesion

[HallurP]

would be awesome to get gloves made with this material :D

[mickycheese27]

big deal, Spider man has nanotubes on his fingers. XD

[Qbranch1024]

Whoa that's cool.

[H11tsMe]

there is new geko tape that can hold 50 pounds per square inch! put that on gloves!

[DGO711]

duh pervents slidin of walls

[lod43]

This NOT velcro or velcro like. The nano-tubes stick via london dispersion forces (temporary/weak electro-magnetic interactions). Also gloves are a future option but the current tape is very fragile. U just need to make sure the glove is secure to the hand. The adhesive works in a specific direction. Notice how easy the stuff comes off when you lift it up instaed of pulling down.

[nunoL36]

Its like velcro in tha way that exercts and adhesive force, but it is totally different from it since it does not need a specific surface to stick to, like velcro does. Its sticks to virtually ant smooth surface

[AdamBailey9]

From what I understand its like a micro version of velcro. Wonder how strong it would be if they started to make them with nano-tubes :P

[mca0824]

you would not be able to put them on or take them off. Can't you read, it says it prevents sliding. Not increases strength

[paintballgodalex]

Wow. I can't wait until they put these on gloves and make it stronger...