"Geckel": Superglue From Geckos and Mussels

Scientists marvel at the ability of geckos to walk up walls and even across ceilings, thanks to their sticky feet. Like Post-it notes, gecko feet can be lifted from surfaces again and again without losing their stickiness.

Scientists also admire the mussel, able to adhere firmly to underwater surfaces. Now two Northwestern University biomedical engineers have created the best of both worlds: "geckel," a strong but reversible adhesive that works in air or water.

Phillip B. Messersmith and Haeshin Lee created geckel by nanofabricating arrays of silicone pillars that resemble the super-fine hairs on the bottom of a gecko foot. Then they coated the pillars with a thin layer of synthetic polymer modeled after the "glue" proteins found in mussels.

One possible application is a geckel bandage that would remain firmly attached during bathing but could be easily removed after a wound has healed. It might replace stitches in some cases.—Dawn Stover

Image by H. Lee, W. Lim and A.J. Kane.

Comments

[Jamie]

Very nice. Do you know if the "arrays of silicone pillars" they are using are in any way related to the research being done at the University of Akron?

http://www.physorg.com/news101460241.html

[Zoe]

I find it strange that the gecko in the photograph is NOT a species that possesses "sticky toes" - geckos such as the one photographed merely have small claws on each toe, permitting them to crasp; but they are not able to run up and down walls.