Gecko-inspired Adhesive Technology

Jul 10, 2024

Gecko-inspired Adhesive Technology

Introduction

  • Non-sticky material mimicking gecko skin.
  • Can hold objects like tomatoes, water bottles, and chip bags on smooth surfaces.
  • Developed by Professor Mark Cutkosky's lab at Stanford.
  • Applications: robotic grippers, tiny robots, space robots, wall-climbing robots.

Gecko Adhesion Principles

  • Traditional sticky tape vs. gecko material.
  • Gecko material is non-sticky; sticks only when necessary.
  • Geckos don't use hairs, spikes, or suction cups.
  • Geckos' toes contain structures called lamellae, and within them, there are seta and spatula.
  • Gecko adhesion works through Van der Waals forces.

Van der Waals Forces

  • Interaction between neutral atoms.
  • Gecko's tiny spatula structures enable significant contact area.
  • No strong ionic or hydrogen bonds involved.
  • Similar to how gauge blocks or vinyl sheets stick.
  • Human skin is too bumpy to feel these forces.

Artificial Gecko Adhesive

  • Attempts to replicate gecko's structures using silicone polymer.
  • Created by labor-intensive process using wax mold and razor blade.
  • Micro-wedge structure mimics gecko's foot.
  • Adhesive requires shear force to stick; easy to remove.
  • Cleaning is straightforward with tape.

Applications

MicroTug Robots

  • Small robots pulling heavy weights (17g robot pulls 20 kg).
  • Gecko adhesive used on the underside of MicroTugs.

Space Applications

  • Adhesive tested on Astrobee robot in the International Space Station.
  • Robot can stick to walls and pick up objects in zero gravity.

Everyday Use

  • Gecko adhesive can pull a car anchor.
  • Potential for robotic grippers and scalability to climbing robots.

Human Applications

  • Gecko adhesive enables human wall-climbing projects.

Conclusion

  • Gecko-inspired adhesives have broad applications.
  • Capable of delicate operations, such as handling produce.
  • Grad student projects include personal wall-climbing using the adhesive.

Additional Resources

  • Sponsored by Brilliant for learning and understanding new technologies.