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Adhesion in Wet Environments: Frogs

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Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology

Synonyms

Wet adhesion in tree frogs

Definition

Mechanisms of adhesion in climbing frogs.

Overview

Biomimetics of Animal Adhesion

Mankind’s understanding of the adhesive mechanisms of climbing animals has increased rapidly in recent years, in no small way due to advances in materials science providing both the tools and the theoretical background. This research has shown that, as a result of millions of years of evolution, the adhesive mechanisms of climbing animals are highly dynamic, showing many features that are the envy of materials scientists. Unlike most man-made adhesives, they (1) cope well with rough and antiadhesive substrates, (2) have self-cleaning mechanisms and so recover quickly following contamination, (3) can control attachment so that it only occurs when required, and (4) possess mechanisms for effortless detachment. Finally (5), since animals attach and detach their adhesive pads every time they take a step, sticking ability is not lost with repeated application,...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

    W. Jon. P. Barnes

Authors
  1. W. Jon. P. Barnes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Jon. P. Barnes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ohio Eminent Scholar and The Howard D. Winbigler Professor, Director, Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- & Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (NLB2), Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1142, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

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Barnes, W.J.P. (2012). Adhesion in Wet Environments: Frogs. In: Bhushan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9751-4_257

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