Scientists develop sticky tape inspired by insect feet

Black gaffer tape might be about to get a run for its money as our fix-it of choice -- researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, in collaboration with a team at Carnegie Mellon, are working on a new type of tape that gets its stick from a pattern of microscopic ridges modeled after insect feet. The two teams studied over 300 insects to develop the tape, which can be reused hundreds of times before losing its stickiness then simply washed in soapy water to regain its initial grip. Tests of the tape have enabled a 4-ounce robot to climb walls, and the team says that although it'll never be as cheap or as strong as regular old Scotch, the product they've nicknamed "insect tape" will be reasonably cheap to use around the house. Yeah, but can you build a server out of it?

[liin @ Nov 6th 2007 6:11AM]

As long as I can tape the wheels of my RC cars and make full use of the walls so I don't have to do any floor cleaning just to play.

[Drew @ Nov 6th 2007 6:20AM]

I don't get it... not as cheap OR as strong as Scotch tape? Then what's the point, just the re-usability?

[N30 G30 @ Nov 6th 2007 9:08AM]

Scotch tape leaves a residue, unlike Gaffer tape, which is mentioned. Gaffer tape is expensive. This seems to be cheaper. There's definitely a market for this.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 6th 2007 7:05AM]

Scienticians then went on to postulate that a whole new series of wacky wall-walking toys could be available by as early as this year...

[Moonwhaler @ Nov 6th 2007 7:28AM]

I would rather think of the Spider-Man (tm) approach...

[Cam @ Nov 6th 2007 9:15AM]

As long as its not dubbed iTape then I could care less what its called, the lowercase i naming is far too widespread already.

[Ariel @ Nov 6th 2007 9:44AM]

...and the prize for most off-topic post goes to....

[mijj @ Nov 6th 2007 7:43PM]

I think it's a contest between your post and mine.

[Neil Neil Orangepeel @ Nov 6th 2007 10:58AM]

Nothing new here.

Do a search for 'Nude flip flops' on Google and you'll see some cool shoes with no straps or anything other than the sole.

They are hold to your feet using the same material which you just wash in soapy water to get the stickiness back.

Mind you ....I wonder how many insects wash their feet in soapy water too!! :-/

[keland44 @ Nov 6th 2007 3:10PM]

this would be something interesting to add onto car tires for areas that get a lot of snow it would increase the grip that is needed in areas where it's prone to black ice and heavy snow fall
just thinkin out loud here though

[Sirocco @ Nov 6th 2007 6:41PM]

"Light stick" scotch tape didn't exactly set the world on fire, I don't see why this would.

[Danger mouse @ Nov 7th 2007 2:31AM]

Could have some beneficial medical use if made of a suitable material... use instead of stitching & let the body break it down?