New DARPA Tech Could Enable Soldiers to Climb on Vertical Surfaces

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working on technology that could enable soldiers to climb on flat, vertical surfaces, similar to geckos

The latest development in DARPA's Z-Man program, which aims to develop biologically inspired climbing aids, is a type of adhesive called "Geckskin" that is strong enough to suspend a climbing human.

As with gecko footpads, the secret to the sticking power is van der Waals forces, which are weak attractions between molecules. Creatures such as geckos, spiders and small animals "scale vertical surfaces using unique systems that exhibit strong reversible adhesion via van der Waals forces," according to DARPA Read more...