Scientists have managed to create an unusual material that is capable of super-strong adhesion to any surface. In addition, according to the inventors, gloves and shoes made from this substance will allow a person not only to move vertically, but also to lift heavy loads. The discovery is based on the structure of the legs of a gecko lizard (this cold-blooded animal has the ability to move even up the glass). The cosmonauts are already interested in the new development.
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Developing a super-sticky nanomaterial, experts tried to accurately copy the structure of the legs of a gecko, which can run not only on vertical surfaces, but also on ceilings. Now a person is capable of this, just put on a suit made of special material.
Even 15 years ago, scientists mistakenly believed that the lizard sticks to the surface by releasing special glue from its legs, the secret was revealed when the gecko's legs were examined under an electron microscope with the highest resolution.
It turned out that on the pads of the fingers of this animal there are many bristles and each of them ends with a palisade of numerous villi with a diameter of only 100 nanometers.
The force of adhesion of the legs to the surface is such that one lizard can bear on itself a weight of 40 times its own. However, even geckos can envy the new discovery of Russian scientists.
The new material is called gecko adhesive. If you attach a plate from it to the wall, then it will stick almost tightly. The developers believe that such material will eventually be able to replace traditional fasteners for various objects (although removing it will not be an easy task, because it literally clings to the surface).
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According to Russian scientists, the material they have created can be in demand in: medicine, industrial mountaineering, construction and the space industry. In terms of its properties, the gecko-adhesive of Russian design is ahead of all known foreign analogues. After the completion of field tests, the unique material will be available for widespread use.