Can you imagine soldiers being able to scale a towering vertical glass wall similar to what you see in a Spiderman movie?
And that’s without the benefit of camera tricks or technical effects usually employed in movies to make it look like it’s real.
Joint Efforts: Stanford University Research Team And US DARPA
Researchers and scientists at Stanford University, who are closely working with the US military through the funding of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), have developed and created a material that could allow people to ascend a vertical flat wall surface as if it’s a rocky mountain.
Inspired By Gecko Feet
The researchers and scientists took their inspiration from the gripping toes of geckos as they created a climbing device made from silicone pads the size of a hand, on which tiny ridges that can adhere to smooth and flat surfaces are attached. 24 independently suspended tiles covering the 140 square centimeters adhesive area per hand comprise the synthetic adhesion system from which load is transferred to the climber’s foot.
A harness provides support to the weight of a footrest which is connected to the pads using a pole. Rows of microscopic slanting wedges are attached to the silicone pads which temporarily bond to the glass wall surface when weight is applied.
Gecko-Like Adhesive Pads
This is not the first time that an attempt was made to copy and develop gecko feet technology, but all previous trials failed. The Stanford University scientists had found a way to share the load between 24 postage-stamp-sized tiles attached on each pad to allow Elliot Hawkes, a researcher, and Stanford University biomimetics student to ascend a 3.5-meter tall vertical glass wall. Hawkes weighs 154lbs. Stanford researchers and scientists are now hopeful that they can develop and fine-tune a technology that would allow climbers to move in a faster and smooth fashion.
The researchers are looking at developing military gloves very much like the ones used in the movie Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, by the character of Tom Cruise to climb up the façade of Burk Khalifa in Dubai – the world’s tallest building.
Past Efforts Ignored Basic Ergonomic Facts
According to a biomimetic engineer at Stanford University and lead researcher, Prof Mark Cutkosky, what have been developed in past efforts are “spider suits” which completely ignored some basic ergonomic issues such as the fact that people have less strength in their arms compared to the strength in their legs.
Considering this flaw, the researchers focused on a system that would use the hands to gently attach and detach the adhesive tile. They put together a system of cables and links that transfer the load to the feet.
DARPA Z Man Project
The adhesive pads which are not sticky and can be reused multiple times were developed as part of the “DARPA Z Man” Project which is aimed at helping US soldiers climb, ascend or scale tall buildings and other obstacles with much ease.
Studying The Way A Gecko Climbs
The researchers studied the climbing ways of the Tokay gecko, a type of lizard found in Asia. They discovered that geckos use setae – tiny bristles on their toes. Each of the bristles is split into nano-sized tips known as septuple and the weak electrical interactions between the surface and the molecules in the septuple provide a hold or grip that permits geckos to even climb upside down. Such observations helped the researchers reach a breakthrough as they were able to develop adhesive pads from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) – a silicone material, which is molded into microscopic slanted wedges.
Hand-Sized Silicone Adhesive Pads
The adhesive pads grip the smooth surfaces including:
- Glass
- Wood
- Painted metal
- Plastic
These grip the smooth surfaces, including glass, plastic, wood, and painted metal, in a similar way to the gecko’s feet when they have a load pulling against the tips of the wedges. Without the weight on the pads, the grip of the adhesive pads on the surface can be removed.
The use of very small tiles which can be produced to the required exactness in size and form using a CNC wire EDM machine, allowed the pads to conform to a surface more easily than if they used a single adhesive surface.
Adhesive Pads That Can Support Human Weight
Hawkes discovered that the pads were allowed to support adult human weight through load sharing made possible by a system of “tendons” and springs. The adhesive pads are said to outperform the geckos in their climbing ability. The researchers recently published their results in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.
Cutkosky, Hawkes, and the rest of the research team believe that the “spider suits” could well be used in other ways beyond climbing walls. The team is also working with NASA to develop technology that would help grasp debris in space, which according to Cutkosky may be possible using the technology on controllable dry adhesives.
This technology does not require suction and works at low temperatures, even without external power. But that’s an entirely different undertaking for the brilliant minds of the Stanford researchers and scientists.
Article Sources:
http://www.engadget.com
http://www.theguardian.com
DARPA seems to be involved in all sorts of precarious and controversial stories. General Motors is developing a fix for its OnStar telematics system after researchers found a way to hack into one of its cars and take over several functions, including the brakes. DARPA, demonstrated how it was able to wirelessly hack into the computer systems of a Chevrolet Impala during a controlled situation and remotely control several operations. That is some disturbing stuff.
Creepy robots, jetpack bodysuits, advanced weapons, prostheses …All very different, yet all tied together by one entity DARPA, or the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Here is an interesting tid-bit: DARPA was created by Dwight D. Eisenhower after the Soviet Union surprised the U.S. with the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958. While not exactly a household name, the agency has had a global impact. That’s because the creation of the Internet you know. Admit it, those videos showcasing all this cool technology is catchy and viral at times.
I’ve always know that there is a certain synergy that exists between those who write movie scripts and do the research for movies and the secrets that are kept by those in high levels. It appears that was the case for the makers, writers and researchers of the Mission Impossible franchise. That film was made years ago and they were no doubt unveiling technology that was already being tested by DARPA and the department of defense.