Biomimetics: Looking Beyond Fibrillar Features to Scale Gecko-Like Adhesion (Adv. Mater. 8/2012)

Summary: Recent studies on gekkotan adhesion focus on the forces generated by the hair-like filaments on toe pads and the development of synthetic adhesives. While there are many species of geckos and anoles, research mostly concentrates on species with complex setal structures. Studies also reveal variations in setal structure within individuals and shed light on the evolution and integration of adhesively competent digits.