Torn crystal reveals gecko's stickiness

Close up of a gecko's foot on a pane of glass

Source: sarayuth3390 / shutterstock.com

The force behind a gecko’s sticky feet has been measured and modified

Scientists in Japan have measured the size of van der Waals forces between individual layers of gallium selenide. These forces are weak compared to covalent bonds, but are responsible for water’s comparatively high boiling point and a gecko’s sticky feet

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