New super-strong adhesive material created

BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists studying the gecko's ability to climb walls have created an adhesive that mimics the easy attachment and easy release of the reptile's feet.

University of California-Berkeley researchers said their new material -- crafted from millions of tiny, hard, plastic fibers -- could prove useful for a range of products, from climbing equipment to medical devices.

Unlike duct tape or glue, the new material establishes a very strong grip -- one-third of a square inch can support close to one pound of weight. While ordinary adhesive tape sticks when pressed onto a surface, the new adhesive sticks as it slides on a surface and then releases as it lifts.

"The gecko has a very sophisticated hierarchical structure of compliant toes, microfibers, nanofibers and nanoattachment plates that allows the foot to attach and release with very little effort," said Professor Ron Fearing, "The gecko makes it look simple, but the animal needs to control the directions it is moving its toes -- correct movement equates to little effort."

The new material is also novel in that it becomes stronger with use, Fearing said.

The study appeared online in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.