Scientists from Stanford University showed a video of their new development. They created a special device for several years. It will allow an ordinary person to climb a sheer wall, like the hero of the Marvel comic book series or the movie Mission Impossible. In the video you can see how an ordinary person with velcro on his legs and arms climbs onto a steep wall of glass to a height of 3.5 m.
Science made a fairy tale come true
The real climbing device is technologically more complex than the one made up by the writers. The idea was borrowed from gecko-lizards, using the so-called van der Waals forces (intermolecular (and interatomic) interaction) for climbing steep surfaces. They provide the adherence of microfibers at the molecular level. This effect allows the animal to remain even on the ceiling without much effort.
Specialists increased the glove's tenacity with the help of miniature silicone brushes (polydimethylsiloxane). As long as they can be used only on flat (plastic or glass) surfaces. Gloves evenly distribute the load on the entire plane and allow you to climb a steep wall.
"Field" tests
The device has tested a 70-kilogram graduate student at a research lab. Special plates were attached to his hands with straps. The young man moved his hands alternately and clambered up. As a result, he easily climbed onto a 3.5 meter smooth wall.
Scientists want to significantly refine the mechanism for smoother movement. While you can climb only on dry and smooth surfaces, but in the future it will be possible to use similar gloves on uneven walls.
The development of this device was carried out with the support of the American Advanced Research Agency (DARPA) and specialists from the Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, and was sponsored by the US Department of Defense. It is assumed that the promising technology can be used in space - it will facilitate the work of weightlessness for astronauts. She may also be interested in industrial climbers and workers of similar professions. Now another superhero ability is available to people.
