Renters rejoice! In the not-too-distant future, you'll be able to hang your flat-screen TV (or that behemoth artwork or massive mirror) with nary a nail or anchor in the wall. The secret is an uber-adhesive called Geckskin.
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst have recently developed a device called Geckskin. This rubber-and-fabric invention was modeled after the superpowers of a 5-ounce gecko, whose feet can produce an adhesive force similar to carrying 9 pounds up a wall without slipping. The secret lies in the gecko's tendons, which work in tandem with its bones and skin to produce a reversible adhesion that lets its feet stick to a wall without fluids.
Geckskin is about the size of an index card and capable of holding 700 pounds. Just like gecko feet, Geckskin is reusable and leaves no residue on the surface — so no worries if you find your flat-screen askew. Just peel it off and smack it back on, supposedly.
The only downside is that in its current state, Geckskin will only work on smooth surfaces. For those of you in pre-war walk-ups with patched and painted walls, you'll have to stick — no pun intended — with the tried-and-true mounting methods. For now.
Read More: Scientists create 'Geckskin', can hold 700 pounds on wall at Digital Journal
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Can't wait to see this
Call me a skeptic, but I still feel more comfortable with screws and a metal plate.
That said, if I could see this in action, I might be willing to give it a shot with a cheap piece of art or something.
I can see this becoming popular and used like Velcro.
700 lbs.? That's crazy, I could hang a couple of me's on the wall!
This would be huge for shelves. I would imagine that if your wall isnt smooth enough, you could screw a small thin smooth plate to a stud and then apply.
I hope the inventors get a piece of the profits.
It will hold up to 700lbs of downward force. But just like the gecko, the slightest outward force will dislodge all (up to) 700 pounds of AV equipment right on top of you!
There are many practical uses for this. I'm not sure hanging A/V equipment will be one of them.
No way... what the TV would be "adhering" to, would be a thin layer of paint or plaster.... so however well adhered it would be, the layers that make up the wall would not tolerate much weight in a specific area the size of a credit card. Although, I don't doubt that the little bit of paint that comes off the wall will be very well adhered to the geckskin plate =P Thus living up to its promise!
I was thinking exactly what MadarinTJE said.
Manadarin you are correct, but if you were to bolt a metal plate to a stud and then stick the gecko skin between the plate and a 30 lb. 40 inch tv, but really when these finally come out that tv wil probably be 20 lbs., then it should be fine. But then is that TV vented out the back? You don't want to block those holes.
I can already hear the insurance companies rewriting all the homeowners policies: "No indemnity shall be assumed in domiciles where Geckskin has been utilized. We're not buying everybody new TVs."
While everyone is talking about TVs, this would be fabulous for so many other items, including large pieces of art. I would love this.
@ MandarinTJE: Same concerns here, but not until I do some math and see some info on how secure paint and gyproc paper are. With the weight spread even over a large area, you might be surprised how much they'd withstand. Think of how velcro or a bed of nails works.
Unless the numbers were very generous, though, I don't think I'd trust it with a TV or anything that could shatter.
I will believe it when I see it. The 3D Command strips are also supposed to adhere but my own experience with them is negative. I had multiple pictures fall off the wall (all within one week), and then it happened again, in spite of me following the instructions precisely.