Evidence for van der Waals adhesion in gecko setae
University of California, Santa Barbara · Lewis & Clark College · +2 more institutions
Abstract
Geckos have evolved one of the most versatile and effective adhesives known. The mechanism of dry adhesion in the millions of setae on the toes of geckos has been the focus of scientific study for over a century. We provide the first direct experimental evidence for dry adhesion of gecko setae by van der Waals forces, and reject the use of mechanisms relying on high surface polarity, including capillary adhesion. The toes of live Tokay geckos were highly hydrophobic, and adhered equally well to strongly hydrophobic and strongly hydrophilic, polarizable surfaces. Adhesion of a single isolated gecko seta was equally effective on the hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces of a microelectro-mechanical systems force…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 55.55
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 51
Authors
10- KAKellar AutumnCorresponding
University of California, Santa Barbara, Lewis & Clark College, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University
- MSMetin Sitti
University of California, Santa Barbara, Lewis & Clark College, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University
- YAYiching A. Liang
University of California, Santa Barbara, Lewis & Clark College, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University
- AMAnne M. Peattie
University of California, Santa Barbara, Lewis & Clark College, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University
- WRWendy R. Hansen
University of California, Santa Barbara, Lewis & Clark College, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University
Topics & keywords
- Gecko
- Seta
- van der Waals force
- Adhesion
- Adhesive
- Capillary action
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology