Adhesion properties of gecko setae

ORAL

Abstract

Millions of keratin hairs on gecko feet, called setae, act as a spectacular dry adhesive. Each seta branches into hundreds of smaller fibers that terminate in spatula-shaped ends. Morphological differences between the setae from different gecko species are suspected to affect both single-seta and whole-animal adhesion properties. Single-seta adhesive force measurements made using a MEMS piezoresistive cantilever capable of two-axis measurements are presented.

*Funded in part by NSF (COINS and NNUN), DARPA, and SGF.

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Authors

  • Ginel Hill

    • Stanford University

  • Anne Peattie

    • University of California, Berkeley

  • Roxanne Daniels

    • Stanford University

  • Robert Full

    • University of California, Berkeley

  • Thomas Kenny

    • Stanford University