Introduction

So who was he?

What are Van der
Waals forces?

What's his equation
all about?

Get to the lizards already

Other stuff

Links and references

 

   

Van der Waals
and the amazing sticking gecko
f

 

How does the gecko gain its amazing ability to stick to surfaces as smooth as glass?  The answer to this question lies in the design of its feet, which actually induce an intermolecular force with the surface. 

These Van der Waals forces and the science behind them are explained within these pages, from the physicist who first explained this form of interaction to the gecko itself, as well as other applications of these types of bonding.

 

To view some of the images in this site you will need a chime plug-in from http://www.mdli.com/

 

Web page created by:
Vicky Swinerd

Bristol University
School of Chemistry