Geckos can adhere to and climb vertical glass walls. Mussels cling to wet rocks despite crashing surf. Attention 3M and other adhesives manufacturers: Researchers at Northwestern University have produced what they believe is the first gecko-foot-inspired adhesive that gains extra stickiness and ability to adhere under wet conditions through the addition of a polymer related to mussel adhesive. The sticky substance has been dubbed “geckel” and is reusable. Interested parties may contact Dr. Philip Messersmith, professor of biomedical engineering. For more information, go to: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v448/n7151… and http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/24/science…

(Editor’s note: If your TTO or institution knows of an interesting innovation that deserves commercial exploration, submit a “brief” about it for consideration for publication in this e-zine. Send to info@technologytransfertactics.com.)

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