Gecko inspires car technology

Ford Motor Company is being inspired by the gecko’s sticky toe pads as it seeks to improve adhesives and the recyclability of automotive parts. The move comes as it considers ways to make its manufacturing more sustainable because glue used to adhere foams to plastics and metals can make disassembling parts for recycling nearly impossible. The marque chose the gecko as its toe pads allow it to stick to most surfaces without liquids or surface tension, and it can release itself while leaving no residue. A typical mature gecko weighing 70.8 grams is also capable of supporting 132.9 kilograms. Debbie Mielewski, Ford’s senior technical leader for plastics and sustainability research, says the gecko can inspire a host of adhesive innovations. “Solving this problem could provide cost savings and certainly an environmental savings. It means we could increase the recycling of more foam and plastics, and further reduce our environmental footprint.” The innovations will also be applied in New Zealand. While automobiles are on average 85 per cent recyclable by weight, Ford NZ is looking to adopt EU practices in recycling up to 95 per cent of a vehicle. Currently, 80 per cent of all end-of-life vehicles are processed for recycling. Tom Clancy, Ford NZ’s communications and government affairs manager, says: “Making it easier to do so would mean getting to the 95 per cent target is that much more achievable and less expensive.” The marque is also looking at other nature-inspired technologies to further improve the use of sustainable materials in vehicle fabrics. Researchers say that the gecko may also inspire fabric technologies. Carol Kordich, global sustainable fabric strategies and development at Ford, says: “As we look to further our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, taking a holistic, biomimetic approach makes sense because nature has efficiencies in design and uses minimal resources. Nature is the ultimate guide.”