Gecko lizard toe hairs inspired the design of medical adhesives

Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc.

Gecko lizard toe hairs ​

This up-close look at a gecko's foot shows some of its 500,000 or so toe hairs, each of which is about one-tenth the thickness of a human hair. These hairs split into smaller hairs that fray into spatula-shaped structures, which give geckos their gravity-defying ability to scamper up walls and across ceilings. The strong-yet-gentle grip of gecko feet has inspired the design of medical adhesives for use on delicate skin.

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