Gecko-inspired Adhesives
Tulane researchers have developed synthetic gecko-inspired adhesives that exhibit anisotropic adhesion properties—strong when sheared in one direction but non-adherent when sheared in the opposite direction. This scalable photolithography-based manufacturing method incorporates tilt angles to create polymer-based dry adhesives that mimic natural gecko attachment systems with reversible, self-cleaning properties.
The Problem
Biological fibrillar attachment systems of geckos and insects demonstrate remarkable dynamic adhesive properties with potential across multiple industries. Despite significant commercial interest, existing attempts to create artificial gecko-like adhesives have failed to replicate the desired dry adhesive properties observed in nature, including directional adhesion, reversibility, and the ability to adhere to diverse surfaces without leaving residue.
The Solution
This technology uses a scalable fabrication method incorporating tilted prismatic structures in polymer-based materials to create dry adhesives with directional grip. Laboratory testing demonstrates the ability to support weights on both vertical and inverted horizontal surfaces—a 450g weight on vertical glass using ~2 cm² area and 50g on horizontal silicon using ~1.6 cm² area. The adhesives feature non-wetting, self-cleaning surfaces and work through shear-activated friction and adhesion forces that can be easily reversed.
The Opportunity
The technology targets the $70+ billion global adhesives market (5.9% CAGR) and the rapidly growing $18.5 billion biomimetic materials sector (18% CAGR by 2028). Applications span industrial adhesives, biomedical devices and wound care, robotics and automotive manufacturing, and aerospace including lunar and space applications where the adhesive functions in vacuum environments and extreme temperatures. As potentially the first commercial gecko-inspired adhesive, it addresses unmet needs in packaging, automotive, and medical device industries.
