Geckskin
Grace L. Tue, Feb 8, 2022 1 IED
Traditional adhesive tape technology relies on developing more aggressive and stickier chemical substances to maximize adhesive force. This is not ideal for applications where mobility, sustainability, and ease of use are critical to product innovation and differentiation.
The Geckskin® adhesive system changes everything, with a mathematical solution that allows developers to balance forces for optimal performance rather than solely concentrating on “sticking”. It's reusable and non-damaging. Inspired by the gecko’s gravity defying mobility, biological and polymer scientists at the University of Massachusetts applied the underlying mathematical principles at work in the gecko’s unique tendon structure to launch a new frontier in adhesive technology that moves the science beyond single use, hazardous materials.
What is Geckskins® Purpose? Fasteners, sealants and closures (>$30B worldwide industries) are not known for their sustainability profiles. Reusability and non-damaging are not the primary objectives of tapes, glues, nails and screws. They are largely single-use products, many of which cause damage.
Geckskin wants to change that, their reusable, non-damaging way to grip and peel opens the door to a new wave of high-performance applications.
How Does Geckskin® Work? A Geckskin device implements a systemic approach to the forces behind grip and peel, and load-bearing devices that animals have utilized for eons. Geckskin technology does employ the use of van der Waals forces but differently from tape, which also uses the same forces.
Using fundamental mathematical equations Geckskin is bio-inspired by the gecko anatomy: mathematics + anatomy = mechanical design. The foundational patents that define Geckskin address the mechanical properties and interaction among and between materials. This approach gives rise to the ability to develop an endless array of device designs for countless applications.
What Makes Geckskin Different? Unlike traditional pressure-sensitive adhesives, which rely on viscoelasticity for adhering to surfaces, Geckskin™ relies on a concept known as draping adhesion. Draping adhesion is created with materials that can be draped to create conformal contact with a surface while still maintaining high, elastic stiffness in directions where forces will be applied.
This design enables adhesive loads to be more evenly distributed across the pad surface, while also allowing for a rapid and low-energy transition between attachment and detachment.
What iS Geckskin Made Out of? Geckskin™ is composed of stiff fabrics—such as carbon fiber or Kevlar—with soft elastomers, such as polyurethane or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It uses commodity materials, not nanotechnology. The key innovation of Geckskin™ was the integration of a soft elastomer (the pad) with a stiff fabric (the skin) allowing the pad to drape over a surface.
Further, as in natural gecko feet, the skin is woven into a synthetic tendon, yielding a design that plays a key role in maintaining stiffness and rotational freedom. The end result is an adhesive device that is powerful, easily removed, and leaves no residue.