Synthetic Two-Sided Gecko’s Foot Could Enable Underwater Robotics
Inspired by geckos’ natural ability to attach and release their feet from surfaces as slick as glass, scientists have made a number of adhesives that can similarly stick and unstick with changes in temperature, light or magnetic field, but mostly in dry conditions.
The researchers first made the inorganic membrane double-faced and then added the hydrogel nanofibers on both sides. Testing showed that the material exhibited ultra-high friction and adhesion in an acidic liquid (pH of 2), and would rapidly switch to a state of ultra-low friction and stickiness when a basic solution (pH of 12) was added. Additionally, the two sides of the material can stick and slide independently of each other.
The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the U.K.’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Contacts and sources:
Katie Cottingham, Ph.D
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Source: http://www.ineffableisland.com/2017/04/synthetic-two-sided-geckos-foot-could.html
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