Setae

The super-adhesive "Geckskin" can stick a 700-pound load to the wall without leaving a sticky residue (Photo: Shutterstock)

Science

Gecko-inspired mess-free super-adhesive can stick a TV to the wall

The super-adhesive "Geckskin" can stick a 700-pound load to the wall without leaving a sticky residue.

Surrounded by other team members, Achim Oesert from the University of Kiel hangs from the ceiling using bioinspired polymer tape (Image: University of Kiel) alongside an image of a gecko (Image: Wahj via Flickr)

Science

Biologically inspired adhesive tape can be reused thousands of times

With inspiration from nature, researchers have created a new dry adhesive tape that is not only boasts impressive adhesive strength, but can also be attached and detached thousands of times without losing its adhesive properties.

Leaf beetles use three shapes of adhesive hair in a specific pattern to allow for greater adhesiveness or rapid detachment on diverse surfaces

Science

Research sheds new light on wall-climbing critters

Scientists studying the properties of different types of setae on ceiling-climbing insects have found that the different forces required to peel away these adhesive hairs from surfaces are what allows beetles to adhere to diverse surfaces.

Paul Day and Alan Asbeck worked on adhesives for the feet of the gecko-like Stickybot (Image: L.A. Cicero)

Robotics

Stickybot mimics gecko biology to get a leg up

With feet modeled on the intricate design of gecko toes, engineers at Stanford University have create a robot that can climb smooth surfaces including a wall of slick glass.