Beetle Velcro

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Via my friend Scott Mize: Advanced Materials reports on a  reversible mechanical interlocker inspired from the wing locking device of beetles.

The interlocker is highly flexible and displays an extremely high shear locking force of ∼40 N/cm2 as well as an easy normal lift-off.

Thumbnail image of graphical abstractThe image shows an illustration for the wing-locking device of beetles that is operated by interconnecting densely-populated microhairs (termed microtrichia) on the cuticular surface.  Continued… (subscription required)…