Geckos’ foot hair structure and their ability to hang from rough surfaces and move quickly

Geckos generate the necessary adhesion force through their foot hair. The direction of the gecko's foot hair is not perpendicular to its finger surface, giving compliance to the hair. The effect of this compliance on the adhesion force is analysed and expressed theoretically in terms of contact...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of adhesion and adhesives 2006-12, Vol.26 (8), p.639-643
Main Authors: Takahashi, Kunio, Berengueres, Jose Oriol Lopez, Obata, Kenichi J., Saito, Shigeki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesion
Attachment
Biological adhesion
Compliance
Detachment
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Gecko
JKR contact
Mechanical contact (friction...)
Mechanism
Physics
Solid mechanics
Stiffness
Structural and continuum mechanics
Surface roughness
Wall-climbing
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Summary:Geckos generate the necessary adhesion force through their foot hair. The direction of the gecko's foot hair is not perpendicular to its finger surface, giving compliance to the hair. The effect of this compliance on the adhesion force is analysed and expressed theoretically in terms of contact mechanics. We conclude that the compliance of the foot hair is sufficient to generate the large adhesion force necessary for adhesion to rough surfaces, and that the structure of the seta with the spatulae allow the normal adhesion force to be controlled, allowing the gecko to make quick steps.
ISSN:0143-7496
1879-0127
DOI:10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2005.12.002