Diversity of functional microornamentation in slithering geckos<i>Lialis</i>(Pygopodidae)

Spinner, Marlene; Gorb, Stanislav N.; Westhoff, Guido

doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.2160

Cited by 27 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Interestingly, the outer layer of lizard skins has been shown or speculated to, exhibit a range of functions including ecdysis, coping with varying temperatures, pheromone capture, retention and dispersal, tribological functions such as reduction of friction and wear protection, and also reflection of radiation (e.g. [20]). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contaminant adhesion (aerial/ground biofouling) on the skin of a gecko

Watson

Cribb

Schwarzkopf

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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In this study, we have investigated the micro-and nano-structuring and contaminant adhesional forces of the outer skin layer of the ground dwelling gecko-Lucasium steindachneri. The lizard's skin displayed a high density of hairs with lengths up to 4 mm which were spherically capped with a radius of curvature typically less than 30 nm. The adhesion of artificial hydrophilic (silica) and hydrophobic (C 18 ) spherical particles and natural pollen grains were measured by atomic force microscopy and demonstrated extremely low values comparable to those recorded on superhydrophobic insects. The lizard scales which exhibited a three-tier hierarchical architecture demonstrated higher adhesion than the trough regions between scales. The two-tier roughness of the troughs comprising folding of the skin (wrinkling) limits the number of contacting hairs with particles of the dimensions used in our study. The gecko skin architecture on both the dorsal and trough regions demonstrates an optimized topography for minimizing solid-solid and solid-liquid particle contact area, as well as facilitating a variety of particulate removal mechanisms including water-assisted processes. These contrasting skin topographies may also be optimized for other functions such as increased structural integrity, levels of wear protection and flexibility of skin for movement and growth. While single hair adhesion is low, contributions of many thousands of individual hairs (especially on the abdominal scale surface and if deformation occurs) may potentially aid in providing additional adhesional capabilities (sticking ability) for some gecko species when interacting with environmental substrates such as rocks, foliage and even man-made structuring.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contaminant adhesion (aerial/ground biofouling) on the skin of a gecko

Watson

Cribb

Schwarzkopf

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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“…The remaining regions of the lizard body have received very little attention in relation to specific functions which may be associated with the nano-and microstructuring [8,9]. This is somewhat surprising as geckos have interesting and intricate microstructuring on the skin regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removal mechanisms of dew via self-propulsion off the gecko skin

Watson

Schwarzkopf

Cribb

et al. 2015

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Condensation resulting in the formation of water films or droplets is an unavoidable process on the cuticle or skin of many organisms. This process generally occurs under humid conditions when the temperature drops below the dew point. In this study, we have investigated dew conditions on the skin of the gecko Lucasium steindachneri. When condensation occurs, we show that small dew drops, as opposed to a thin film, form on the lizard's scales. As the droplets grow in size and merge, they can undergo self-propulsion off the skin and in the process can be carried away a sufficient distance to freely engage with external forces. We show that factors such as gravity, wind and fog provide mechanisms to remove these small droplets off the gecko skin surface. The formation of small droplets and subsequent removal from the skin may aid in reducing microbial contact (e.g. bacteria, fungi) and limit conducive growth conditions under humid environments. As well as providing an inhospitable microclimate for microorganisms, the formation and removal of small droplets may also potentially aid in other areas such as reduction and cleaning of some surface contaminants consisting of single or multiple aggregates of particles.

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“…7c exhibits sufficiently high contact angles with the skin that they were easily removed from the surface by tilting the surface less than two degrees. This anti-wetting property exhibited by the gecko's skin is already being considered for many tribological applications with regard to corrosion-resistant coating, which in a better sense is immune to moisture making the surface immune to corrosion [39][40][41][42][43]. To get a better perspective of what happens when a gecko skin is impacted upon by a water droplet, a time evolution picture [38] was taken as shown in Fig.…”

Section: Synovial Joint Lubrication For Ic Enginesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Bio-inspired Tribology for Engineering Applications

Siddaiah

Menezes

2016

J Bio Tribo Corros

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Bio-inspired tribology is an interdisciplinary field of science where scientists and engineers seek to investigate and incorporate tribological properties encountered in biological beings into engineering applications. In this paper, bio-inspired tribological research that are speculated to have a huge impact on tribological applications have been reviewed. These research involve (1) investigations related to replication of lubricin found in synovial fluids of mammalian joints which have super-low friction values that can be utilized in IC engines, (2) surface replication concerning to superhydrophobic properties of gecko skin which is seen to have anti-wetting and selfcleaning properties, (3) friction-reducing shark skin through specialized nanoparticle coatings that is seen to give a different perspective on surface texturing, (4) new techniques, such as soft lithography to replicate surfaces of lotus leaf and air lubrication phenomenon inspired by emperor penguins that is being applied to propel boats, ships, and torpedoes faster by reducing skin friction underwater. Further, an investigation in self-healing materials inspired from pitcher plant that has led to the innovation of self-healing and slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces has been discussed. These research works reviewed not only provide a deep insight into the current advances in bio-inspired tribology but also helps understand the plausibility of the research applications in the future and the practicality of innovations possible.

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Diversity of functional microornamentation in slithering geckosLialis(Pygopodidae)

Cited by 27 publications

References 49 publications

Contaminant adhesion (aerial/ground biofouling) on the skin of a gecko

Contaminant adhesion (aerial/ground biofouling) on the skin of a gecko

Removal mechanisms of dew via self-propulsion off the gecko skin

Advances in Bio-inspired Tribology for Engineering Applications

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