Chemistry In the natural world differs from our technological problem-solving approach whereas we use a large variety of elements, in nature the lighter elements (such as Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Calcium, Phosphorous, Sulfur, Silicon etc.). With many heavy elements on the endangered list, we have seen an increase in R&D into bioinspired chemistry in the past decade.

The Gecko has the amazing ability to stick to surfaces. The toes of a gecko are divided into nanoscale hair-like structures. When a gecko places its foot on the wall and curls its toes, these nanoscale structures interact with the wall on the atomic level. The forces (van-der-Waals forces) between the nano-structured hairs of the gecko foot and the atoms of the wall are strong enough to hold up the Gecko.

Scientists at UMass Amherst have developed materials that use gecko-like nano-structures for draping adhesion. Draping adhesion is created with materials that can drape to create conformal contact with a surface while still maintaining high, elastic stiffness in directions where forces will be applied.