Tree-frog inspires new glue

HONG KONG – Inspired by the toe pads of tree frogs and crickets, researchers in India have created a form of sticky coating that is both strong and reusable.

When conventional adhesive tape is pulled off a surface, cracks form on the tape, which also picks up dust and other particles, quickly losing its stickiness. Writing in the journal Science, the researchers described how the toe pads of tree frogs contain “microscopic channel patterns” that stop cracks from forming.”Toe pads have patterns on the surface, it’s not a smooth layer.Underneath these patterns, there are fluid vessels, glands and blood vessels,” said Professor Animangsu Ghatak.”Sticky tape gets contaminated with dust and you only use it once or twice.But lizards and toads use their toes all the time.They don’t get contaminated and they create very strong adhesion.We are trying to mimic that by creating this material.”Nampa-ReutersWriting in the journal Science, the researchers described how the toe pads of tree frogs contain “microscopic channel patterns” that stop cracks from forming.”Toe pads have patterns on the surface, it’s not a smooth layer.Underneath these patterns, there are fluid vessels, glands and blood vessels,” said Professor Animangsu Ghatak.”Sticky tape gets contaminated with dust and you only use it once or twice.But lizards and toads use their toes all the time.They don’t get contaminated and they create very strong adhesion.We are trying to mimic that by creating this material.”Nampa-Reuters