Chemists have been able to surpass the ability of gecko glue

Scientists from several American universities managed to develop a new adhesive, formed on the model Lap gecko - lizards that can run on the craggy walls. According to its characteristics material consisting of nanotubes, several times bigger than the original. The work of researchers published in the journal Science.

Gecko has long served as "experimental model" for creators of adhesives. Studies have shown that lizards legs so well associated with the surface due to covering their hair. A lot of fine hairs have a very large area of contact with the surface if they are under an inclination to it. When the hairs are aimed at right angles to the substrate, it impinges it their konchikami, and the total contact area is small. Therefore gecko easily opens leg of the fence when it pulls up vertically. If the lizard do push along the surface, the trunks hairs "cling" for her and not give lape detach.

Sam effect of adhesion is defined by Van der Waals force - by intermolecular interaction, which, for example, hold together molecules of water.

Several groups of scientists have developed materials, partially copying sole Lap gecko. They also used nanotubes, but the effect of adhesion markedly assigned the "present". The authors of this work colleagues have found the cause of failure. Hairs gecko have different thicknesses: top istonchayutsya and they are beginning to branch. Cabang provide additional surface, through which arm firmer hold on the wall. Until now, researchers have created adhesive from nevetvyaschihsya nanotubes. In this work, scientists created nanotubes, which ends in their own words, reminiscent of spaghetti or vyuschiesya branches of grapes.

Tests conducted on different types of surfaces, ranging from glass and finishing with emery paper, showed that the new material develops the full force of adhesion of about 100 Newtons per square centimeter (this is three times more than the previous analogue). In order to tear the material from the surface in a vertical direction, rather Ten Newtonian force.

The authors believe that their development will prove useful in many areas of industry. For example, the adhesive may be in demand for electronic devices and fasteners for use in space.