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| Wall gecko |
By studying what makes geckos’ feet sticky, NASA
scientists have created a device that will adhere to almost anything.
The “gecko gripper” uses minuscule silicon wedges
to latch onto a wide range of slippery surfaces, like solar panels and
plastics. The grippers can work with heavy objects, easily maneuvering, say, an
adult male, or a 278 kg (613 lb) robot. NASA hopes to use gecko grippers in
place of traditional adhesives like velcro, which are trickier to use in space
and can leave behind residue. Since they’re made of silicon, the grippers can
also withstand extreme pressure, temperature, and radiation conditions.
Gecko grippers adhere to testing objects using
the same scientific forces as a gecko climbing up the glass in its tank. A
single gecko foot contains about half a million tiny hairs called setae. The
ends of these hairs may be small, but together they create a powerful
connection between the foot and the surface. That connection takes advantage of
Van der Waals forces, which occur when the electrons inside an atom or molecule
aren’t evenly spaced, creating a negative pole and a positive pole. This causes
other molecules or atoms nearby to become polarized, creating a weak electrical
field that temporarily allows the gecko to stick. While gecko grippers use
silicon wedges instead of setae, they too experience the sticky powers of Van
der Waals forces.
Gecko grips could be used for a variety of
purposes, but scientists are especially interested in their ability to clean up
floating debris in space. Chunks of space trash can endanger satellites and
space stations, so removing them is key to preventing future damage. Velcro is
bad for collecting debris because it requires two points of connection: a strip
of velcro on the trash-collecting device, and a strip on the debris itself.
Gecko grippers could be a viable solution.
Can
Geckos Help Scientists Clear Space Debris?
NASA looks forward to substituting the
traditional adhesives such as velcro with gecko grippers.
NASA researchers have conducted a research to
examine what makes a gecko's feet sticky and fashioned a device called
"gecko-gripper" based on the findings.
Geckos have specialized hairs on their feet
called setae that let them stick to vertical surfaces without falling, and
their stickiness doesn't wear off with repeated use, a NASA statement said.
The technology would aid robotic crawlers to walk
along the exteriors of the spacecraft. The grippers would use a
touch-to-stick method to grab or release objects. The sensor mounts of the
device can work on any surface and can be re-used multiple times.
Minuscule silicon wedges are used in the
gecko-gripper which allows them to stick to slippery surfaces such as plastics
and solar panels. Silicon can withstand severe temperature, pressure and even
radiations.
NASA looks forward to substituting the traditional
adhesives such as velcro with gecko grippers. Adhesives like velcro are known
to leave behind residue in space and are complicated to use.
Van der Waals forces refer to the attraction of
intermolecular forces. The force is temporarily created in the setae of gecko's
feet which allow it to stick to the surface.
The Van der Waals force develops when the
electrons are not present evenly inside atoms and molecules, which form a
negative and a positive pole creating a weak electrical field.
Scientists could use the gecko grippers for
clearing the space debris. The floating debris and dust in space
pose danger to satellites and space stations.
"Velcro is bad for collecting debris because
it requires two points of connection: a strip of velcro on the trash-collecting
device, and a strip on the debris itself. Gecko grippers could be a viable
solution," Quartz reported.
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