The Physics of Gecko Grip

Geckos can sprint up glass, hang upside down, and then casually walk away like

gravity is optional. The secret is their toes, built like microscopic Velcro made of

physics. It is not glue, slime, or suction.

Gecko toes have ridged pads covered in millions of tiny hairs called setae.

Each seta splits into hundreds of even tinier tips called spatulae, so small they

can touch the surface at the nanoscale. When those tips get extremely close,

weak molecular attractions add up, called van der Waals forces. One contact is

tiny. But millions together create serious holding power. The crazy part