Cornell's switchable adhesive device keeps candy from falling, could let you dance on

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http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/02/cornell-candy-20100203-250.jpgClimbing walls (http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Feb10/SteenAdhesion.html) is one of those odd feats that scientific establishments seem compelled to master -- despite there being few practical applications beyond the ultimate in Marvel-themed Halloween attire. The latest to tackle the challenge are Paul Steen and Michael Vogel from Cornell University, who have stolen the sticky-feet technique of a Floridian beetle that apparently failed to file a patent. The technique relies on the surface tension of water and capillary action of fluids forced through thousands of microscopic holes. When moisture is pushed through the holes it creates a suction on a smooth surface, enough at this point for the team's prototype to hold a weight of 30 grams. When the water is retracted the suction disappears. If all goes well, future implementations of a similar size could hold 15 pounds, meaning with enough of them you could climb a wall -- without leaving a sticky mess behind (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/ben-gurion-universitys-wall-climbing-robots-will-scale-defenses/).Continue reading Cornell's switchable adhesive device keeps candy from falling, could let you dance on the ceiling (video) (http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/cornells-switchable-adhesive-device-keeps-candy-from-falling-c/)
Cornell's switchable adhesive device keeps candy from falling, could let you dance on the ceiling (video) (http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/cornells-switchable-adhesive-device-keeps-candy-from-falling-c/) originally appeared on Engadget (http://www.engadget.com) on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).


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