Geckos walk up and down walls with the greatest of ease, thanks to tiny, spatula-shaped “hairs” on their feet that adhere and release (SN: 7/15/00, p. 47). Although materials researchers have made surfaces that borrow from the nanoscale design of gecko feet, the imitators’ adhesive power fades after repeated attachment and removal (SN: 6/7/03, p.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.