geckóadhézió

Geckoadhesion refers to the remarkable ability of geckos to climb smooth vertical surfaces, and even hang upside down, without the use of any suction or sticky secretions. This feat is made possible by specialized structures on their feet. Each gecko toe is covered in millions of microscopic hairs called setae. These setae are incredibly fine, measuring only a few micrometers in diameter. Each seta then branches into hundreds of even smaller spatulae at its tip.

The gecko's ability to adhere is a result of van der Waals forces, which are weak intermolecular attractions. When the spatulae come into close contact with a surface, their large collective surface area creates a significant number of these weak attractions, allowing the gecko to stick. This adhesion is reversible and directional; geckos can easily detach their feet by peeling them away from the surface at a specific angle, rather than pulling directly. The wetness of a surface generally does not impede their adhesion, though very oily or contaminated surfaces can reduce its effectiveness. Research into geckoadhesion has inspired the development of synthetic adhesives that mimic these natural mechanisms, with potential applications in fields like robotics and medicine.