Science & Technology

Scientists invent UV 'Spider-Man' adhesive

By T.K. Randall
January 24, 2017

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) Developed by a team led by Emre Kizilkan from Kiel University, the adhesive device features a surface texture inspired by the feet of geckos combined with a porous, light-sensitive film.

The film is made from azobenzene - a molecule that curls when exposed to ultraviolet light.

The surface, which is comprised of tiny mushroom-shaped pillars, sticks to other surfaces via van der Waals forces so by turning a UV light on or off it is possible to enable or disable the adhesive.The scientists are hoping to combine this technology with robotics to one day make it possible to climb up the side of buildings and other surfaces like the comic-book superhero Spider-Man.

The adhesive is in fact so sticky that a 20cm square of it is enough to support an adult male.

While it's still early days yet ( encountering a dirty wall for instance can clog it up ), the team is hoping to begin developing spider-like wall-climbing bots in the near future.

"The global aim is to make an adhesive to climb surfaces for humans," said Kizilkan.

Source: Gizmodo

Tags: Spider-Man, Adhesive