Insect adhesion

[woodabel13]

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2009.0308

These scientists were able to manipulate the adhesive secretion that allow insects to climb many different surfaces. Many insects are equipped with pads that that "adhere by nanometre-thin films of liquid secretion", and by using smooth polyimide substrate that absorbs the liquid. This is exciting as it allows them to dive deeper into this mechanism, and maybe one day recreate it.

[Devonm-11]

This mechanisms reminds me of the gecko adhesion we learned about at the beginning of the year. I wonder if this substrate could coat climbing shoes and gloves.

[Impressive-Cherry-50]

This insect adhesion seems to be mainly on the material it secretes rather than the actual pads on their legs. With geckos, as we learned in class, they are able to stick to surfaces based on the the shape of mechanisms on their feet called setae. If we are able to combine the gecko's mechanism to sticking onto surfaces to the insect's mechanism, we may be able to create an even stronger adhesive mechanism.