Have you ever wondered what it is that allows the geckos to stick? It's a question that's fascinated scientists for years. They defy gravity, running around on vertical surfaces - it's as easy as walking on the ground to them.

One suggestion proposed that the gecko's foot was covered in minute suckers. Then recent research came up with a different answer...

There was a series of experiments done in The University of California, Berkeley to try and figure out exactly how the geckos stick to surfaces by examining a single hair of a gecko's foot. More information on the research at Berkeley can be found here.

Each one of the gecko's toes is a leaf shaped pad and is made up of many small hairs called setae (see' tee) and these setae breakdown further into smaller and smaller hairs. It means that there could be a few million hairs on one single toe.

Molecules in the tiny hairs create traction with molecules in the surface of the glass. Slippery films such as oil and dust are no deterrent.

It's not proven that hard to make an artificial surface with enough hair to make it stick to any object. To make a material as advanced as the actual geckos foot, however, would take a big leap in technology.

Researchers at Manchester University are working to develop a tape that uses these properties. The most unique feature of the tape is that it doesn't use any glue. It's good for uses where you don't want to have any glue left on the surface. For example, Astronauts could walk on the surface of the space shuttle without ropes.

Manufacturers are asking whether they could use gecko's tape for improved sports or mountaineering shoes and gloves.

Click here for more information about the research at Manchester University.

Could you design a product using gecko's tape?