Move over Spider-Man, the Z-Man is here to stay.Now climb like aGeckos

Now you can climb a wall too

Share on emailShare on print Geckos have inspired a new generation of climbing equipment that can help humans get to the top of a building. Image: DARPA Researchers at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) have come up with a clever material inspired by the gecko’s amazing ability to stick on and climb any type of surface, including glass. The reptile's toes are covered with tiny suction-like stalks forming a network that allows them to hang from any type of surface, even if it is wet. These super strong and flexible stalks hold up to 13 kilos (30 pounds) per square centimetre, which means geckos can hang by one foot while reaching for a tasty morsel. Based on these characteristics the researchers created paddles covered with Geckskin, a structure that emulates geckos' ability to climb and stick to vertical surfaces.   In their first demonstration, a 98-kilo (218-pound) man climbed a glass wall without any difficulties. Move over, Spider-Man… Z-Man is on his way!