CTCR , Footwear Technology Center of La Rioja, located in the Spanish town of Arnedo uses the Gecko as an inspiration to improve the friction on antislip outsoles.

We would like to bring this investigation back as it reminds us about the significance of the nature signals around us.

You will never know where could be the starting point of any investigation, this time, the Gecko is the main character, its a small lizard that lives in warm environments, big eyes and feet are their main features but specially their unique huge fingers are the ones inspiring this study.

Geckos are well known for their climbing capabilities on any kind of surfaces including overhanging glass situations.

They are able to to achieve this thank to their grooved structures under their fingers, laminated with extremely thin hair, in turn, those have even thinner structures that allow them to have this adhesive power.

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This investigation consisted in finding a great slip resistant material specially developed for the safety shoes . They want to decrease the number of accidents caused by slippery situations and reducing personal and economical damage. Right now this kind of accidents represent a 24% overall working accidents.

Here you can find the link to the article:

http://www.ctcr.es/es/proyectos/2465-suelas-antideslizantes-inspiradas-en-los-pies-del-gecko