The gecko's foot
Subtitle: bio-inspiration : engineering new materials from nature
By: Peter Forbes
Edition: 1st American ed.
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; W. W. Norton & Co.
Published: 2006
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 272
ISBN-13: 9780393062236
Subjects: Technological innovations; Nature
Description: An analysis of the unlikely relationship between nature and scientific design reveals how such innovations as Velcro, solar panels, and self-cleaning surfaces were created to mimic intricate mechanisms found in the natural world.
Notes: "First published in Great Britain in 2005 by Fourth Estate"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-261) and index.
Table of contents: title: List of illustrations --; title: Acknowledgments -- -- 1.; title: Something new under the sun -- -- 2.; title: The great sacred lotus cleans up -- -- 3.; title: Nature's nylon -- -- 4.; title: Clinging to the ceiling -- -- 5.; title: The gleam in nature's eye -- -- 6.; title: The molecular erector set -- -- 7.; title: Insects can't fly -- -- 8.; title: Origami for engineers -- -- 9.; title: The push and pull building system -- -- 10.; title: Designing the future (naturally) --; title: Notes --; title: Further reading --; title: Index.