Molecular and mechanical insights into gecko seta adhesion: multiscale simulations combining molecular dynamics and the finite element method

• Yash Jain,
• Saeed Norouzi,
• Tobias Materzok,
• Stanislav N. Gorb and
• Florian Müller-Plathe

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2055–2076, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.141

• University, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.16.141 Abstract Gecko adhesion, enabled by micro- and nanoscale structures known as setae and spatulae, has prompted extensive research. We present a concurrent multiscale computational model of a seta that integrates molecular

• limitations inherent in single-scale models. Keywords: finite element method; gecko adhesion; hybrid modeling; molecular dynamics; multiscale simulations; seta; spatula; Introduction Geckos possess the ability to adhere to a variety of substrates, a trait attributed to specialized micro- and nanoscale

• scales involved. In previous research, we used molecular dynamics simulations to explore various aspects of gecko adhesion [10][11][12][13]. We found that humidity increases the force required to pull a spatula off from a substrate [10][12], a phenomenon also observed in high-humidity atomic force

Growing up in a rough world: scaling of frictional adhesion and morphology of the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko)

• Anthony J. Cobos and
• Timothy E. Higham

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1292–1302, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.107

• relevant variables. The ability of geckos to adhere to smooth surfaces has fascinated scientists since Aristotle, and has been followed by countless studies focused on uncovering the mechanisms of gecko adhesion, from as early as the 1800’s [6][7][8][9][10] to modern investigations (reviewed in [3]). Like

• the Lotus Effect [11], the Gecko Effect has seen a surge in attention over the past couple of decades [12]. There are over 1000 species of geckos with adhesive capabilities, with multiple origins of the system [13][14]. However, much of what is known about gecko adhesion and its associated structures

• that shear adhesion was significantly reduced (up to 95% reduction of force produced on acrylic glass) on surfaces where the surface structure was close to matching the animal’s adhesive structure, highlighting the importance of considering length-scale and the impact it has on gecko adhesion when

Contact splitting in dry adhesion and friction: reducing the influence of roughness

• Jae-Kang Kim and
• Michael Varenberg

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1–8, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.1

• biological adhesives is to achieve efficient and easily controllable adhesion on any surface, it is important to understand how to overcome the negative effects of roughness on attachment of thin films. It was shown that gecko adhesion is lower if the substrate waviness wavelength is comparable to the

• more easily to the surface waviness and by reducing the effective average peeling angle. These findings can be used to guide the development of biomimetic shear-actuated adhesives suitable for operation not only on smooth but also on rough surfaces. Keywords: biomimetics; contact splitting; gecko

• adhesion; surfaces; tribology; Introduction Biological attachment systems based on thin-film adhesion have drawn significant interest during the last two decades because of their ability to operate on nearly any surface, their efficient control of detachment and their high resistance to contamination [1

The effect of flexible joint-like elements on the adhesive performance of nature-inspired bent mushroom-like fibers

• Elliot Geikowsky,
• Serdar Gorumlu and
• Burak Aksak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2893–2905, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.268

• : bent fibers; bioinspired dry adhesives; gecko adhesion; joint-like element; mushroom-like fibers; Introduction Most natural organisms that rely on temporary adhesion to surfaces for survival do so using tiny, densely packed fibers [1][2]. These fibers vary in dimension and material properties

Equilibrium states and stability of pre-tensioned adhesive tapes

• Carmine Putignano,
• Luciano Afferrante,
• Luigi Mangialardi and
• Giuseppe Carbone

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 1725–1731, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.182

• fact that they are usually constituted mainly of a relatively stiff material, namely β-keratin. The study of the mechanism of detachment of thin films can also help to elucidate some aspect of insects and, in particular, gecko adhesion. To avoid toe detachment, the gecko often employs the use of