An investigation of gecko attachment on wet and rough substrates leads to the application of surface roughness power spectral density analysis.

The roughness and wettability of surfaces exploited by free-ranging geckos can be highly variable and attachment to these substrates is context dependent (e.g., presence or absence of surface water).

Influence of substrate modulus on gecko adhesion.

The gecko adhesion system fascinates biologists and materials scientists alike for its strong, reversible, glue-free, dry adhesion. Understanding the adhesion system's performance on various surfaces can give clues as to gecko behaviour, as well as towards designing synthetic adhesive mimics. Geckos encounter a variety of surfaces in their natural habitats; tropical geckos, such as Gekko gecko, encounter hard, rough tree trunks as well as soft, flexible leaves.

Delaying Frost Formation by Controlling Surface Chemistry of Carbon Nanotube-Coated Steel Surfaces.

Superhydrophobic surfaces are appealing as anti-icing surfaces, given their excellent water repellent performance. However, when water condenses on the surface due to high humidity, the water becomes pinned, and superhydrophobic surfaces fail to perform. Here we studied how the stability of the superhydrophobicity affected water condensation and frost formation.

The effect of temperature and humidity on adhesion of a gecko-inspired adhesive: implications for the natural system.

The adhesive system of geckos has inspired hundreds of synthetic adhesives. While this system has been used relentlessly as a source of inspiration, less work has been done in reverse, where synthetics are used to test questions and hypotheses about the natural system. Here we take such an approach.