Suction fails in outer space, so making vacuum-based wall clips will not work in space. A complementary approach is to follow lizards. Lizards have numerous tiny hairs on the underside of their feet. When placed against the wall these hairs become flat and the surface area in contact with the wall is hugely increased. The molecular force of attraction between the hairs and the wall is now multiplied because of the large area in contact with the wall. It is further enhanced because the hairs number in millions. This force becomes sufficient to hold the lizard’s weight against gravity. Researchers have mimicked the gecko’s hair with silicon wedge-like structures, which they have used to make their own saurian grippers. It is believed that this invention can help in future plans to clear up space debris.
