Think like GeckSkin: Professor Alfred J. Crosby at TEDxUMassAmherst 2014

Can you imagine scaling a wall using nothing but your bare hands? This seemingly impossible feat may soon become a reality. College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst professor and Polymer Scientist, Al Crosby, is working on the development of GeckSkin -- a highly scientific fabric based off of the anatomical properties of the gecko.
Geckskin can hold up to 700 pounds, which may eventually spell the extinction of the old hammer and nail. Crosby's research was originally funded by DARPA, the research arm of the Pentagon. This disruptive and transformative innovation is rapidly changing the world of polymer research
Recorded at TEDxUMassAmherst 2014 on April 27, 2014 in Mahar Auditorium at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
www.TEDxUMassAmherst.org
Opening and closing music: Light - CRISTALLIN - a "The Brio Life" Artist
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In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@tythedford996]

It was said that Gekskin was made by materials around the house. How do you make it?

[@maxkvk8891]

It's 2016 and you're still waiting for you to sell geckskin ! What happened ?

[@Number2Drakefan]

I really want it too, hopefully it'll come out soon but there may be alot of people falling from buildings

[@benjaminkaarst]

Almost 2018 and still waiting. I think there are a couple possible scenarios. Either 1) the technology was sold for a heap of money and one corporation is creating a product that will exclusively use it or 2) Because it only worked on very smooth surfaces like glass, there was not enough market demand for mass production.

[@kenny6643]

Pretty sure you can buy commercial geckskin now

[@skylarharrison7749]

How cheap can it be made for, if I wanted to support a Human weighing 70 kg?

[@sebastianlindon8992]

I saw that for an index card sized piece (it holds 700 lbs, maybe about 300-350 kg)........ 25 cents. And with practically household materials