johndavidjr Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 An apparently proven fact about gecko feet was mentioned in recent story regarding nanotechnology in The Economist magazine. NYTimes this week has following three sentences: "A gecko's foot contains millions of minuscule hairs, or setae, with tiny pads at their tips. Because they are only 200-billionths of a meter wide, the tips get close enough to any surface to be pulled by the surface's weak molecular forces. The combined strength of all the setae on a single gecko, Dr. Autumn found, is enough to lift an offensive lineman, about 280 pounds." Possible implications for climbing shoes, and gloves, can be guessed...Wouldn't this be cheating? -------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 You missed the best line of the article "We're not talking about just the glue of the future, we're talking about the screw of the future!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpinfox Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 How many gecko's feet would I have to skin to make a pair of gloves? ___________________________ MMMmmm..... VanDerWaals Forces.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Google "gecko tape". C'mon this is 2003 news. What island were you stranded on jdjunior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirp Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceIceBaby Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Google "gecko tape". C'mon this is 2003 news. What island were you stranded on jdjunior? Cast away on NJ island or maybe that was long island Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndavidjr Posted January 8, 2005 Author Share Posted January 8, 2005 By George! You're right... I checked, and they've already synthesized the stuff... You know, I've been stuck in traffic on the Long Island Expressway for the past eighteen months and haven't been able to keep up with anything but Rush Limbaugh and "Traffic & Weather Together" on the radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Soon you serious climbers will have to stomach the sight of Homer Simpson strolling past you on Yosemite big walls, a six pack under his arm. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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