Scientists have developed adhesives inspired by gecko feet that are more than 10 times stronger than the natural adhesion of these reptiles, according to research published in 2024.
Geckos can stick to any surface thanks to millions of nanoscale structures called setae on their feet, which use van der Waals forces. These microscopic structures, barely 200 nanometers thick, allow them to support up to 20 times their body weight hanging from a single foot.
The new biomimetic materials developed by universities like Stanford and MIT have managed to replicate and exceed this natural ability. Using smart polymers and nanotechnology, these adhesives can:
- Stick and detach in milliseconds in a controlled manner
- Work on wet and dry surfaces
- Be reused thousands of times without losing effectiveness
- Support loads greater than 100 Newton per square centimeter
These innovations promise to revolutionize medical applications, from surgical adhesives that do not damage the skin to wall-climbing robots for rescue tasks and space exploration.
Source: Verified academic research
