Researchers develop sticky gecko-like material

Researchers at BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre in Bristol seem to have take a cue from Q's play book, developing a new synthetic material that could be used to create special wall-climbing suits for soldiers and spies. The material is designed to mimic a gecko's foot, which is covered with hairs so small that they form a bond with just about anything they touch, but can still be easily peeled off. In addition to human super-hero antics, the researchers say the material could also be used for wall-climbing robots. But the Brits aren't the only geeks that have turned to geckos for inspiration. As you may remember, some peeps at Stanford recently managed to not only replicate a gecko's sticky feet, but create a full-fledged geckobot.

[JS @ Jul 26th 2006 4:28PM]

But will this let me save a lot on my car insurance?

[SpicyHamster @ Jul 26th 2006 4:35PM]

duuuuuuuuuuuude. hook me up. then all i'll need is a web-slinging mechanism.

[Vincent @ Jul 26th 2006 4:39PM]

Phew, this is old news.. I read about Gecko Tape nearly 2 years ago on NewScientist. I've been waiting forever for this crap, I would love to see people climbing all over buildings pretending to be Spider-man. Oh how fun that will be..

But seriously, consider it being used on tires. Since it requires an insane amount of energy to be pulled straight up, or even to move sideways, cars would have an amazing grip on asphalt. And with the curvature of the tire, it would be easy for it to advance forward/reverse. I wish they'd finish up with their research and get this crap out.

[Vincent @ Jul 26th 2006 4:43PM]

Dang, my bad, 3 years ago d=

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3785

[ccrook @ Jul 26th 2006 5:24PM]

I'm fairly sure the Gecko pictured is a leopard gecko, one of the kinds that actually DON'T have sticky feet.

[Gio @ Jul 26th 2006 5:48PM]

Can u make me gecko-like gloves and sneakers so I can sneak up to my girls bedroom window late at night.

[Uchiha_Gecko @ Jul 26th 2006 7:20PM]

@ Gio,

"my girls window..." It's all in your head buddy. You're definitely a candidate for people who shouldn't use this type of technology.

[bogphanny @ Jul 26th 2006 8:15PM]

Superhero-like, even...

[Micro @ Jul 26th 2006 8:24PM]

My gecko isn't sticky?

[paul @ Jul 26th 2006 9:00PM]

That's a leopard gecko in the picture. They don't even have sticky pads! Oh noes!

[zorg @ Jul 26th 2006 10:25PM]

Yeah, but they'll never make anything as adorable as actual gecko. They're so cute when they slam a moth up against the wall to make it stop flapping.

[jeremie the sofaking @ Jul 27th 2006 1:12AM]

i have a gecko and it looks like that one but yellow and purple and stuff it doesnt have pads but some nice nails that cut my skin if i rub it wrong......anyway thats not a leo gecko it's a either a mix of leo and fat tail or someone been useing teydie on animals again......anyway again i hope this works they could make little shoes for my gecko so she can climb glass!

[delvach @ Jul 27th 2006 9:59AM]

Soldiers and spies? What about ninjas? We'd love some of that stuff.

[god @ Jul 27th 2006 11:48AM]

this is revolutionary!!!!! just imagin triple h and batista in the wwf fighting upsided down or in a boxing match upsided down....