Synthetic gecko hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of synthetic gecko hairs. In 2000,a team in California discovered that geckos are equipped with billions of tiny hair-like structures (spatulae) on each toe. Intermolecular forces (van der Waals) are produced by the hairs,allowing geckos to climb. In 2003,Professor Geim's team at Manchester University produced a 'sticky' tape,which mimicks the action of spatulae. Plastic pillars,only two thousandth of a millimetre tall,are attached to a flexible base so that the 'hairs' come into contact with the smallest undulations. A 0.5 centimetre square piece is capable of supporting 100 grams or more | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Geim, Andre |
Bildgröße: | 3463 px × 2506 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |