Nature helps to solve a sticky problem: Beetle foot pads may inspire novel artificial adhesives

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - 19:30 in Biology & Nature

The arrays of fine adhesive hairs or 'setae' on the foot pads of many insects, lizards and spiders give them the ability to climb almost any natural surface. Researchers have found that the different forces required to peel away these adhesive hairs from surfaces are what allows beetles to adhere to diverse surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of detachment. Their study provides the first adhesive force measurements from single microscopic setae in a live animal.

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