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Adhesion in the Animal World

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Encyclopedia of Tribology

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Synonyms

Attractive interaction force; Capillary force; Interfacial energy in biosystems; Surface forces in biosystems; Surface tension in biosystems; van der waal forces in biosystems

Definition

Adhesion is defined as the physical attraction or joining of two substances, especially the macroscopically observable attraction of dissimilar substances, or as the force that holds together the molecules of unlike substances whose surfaces are in contact.

Scientific Fundamentals

Adhesive Device in Animals

To escape from predators, to find food, and to search for suitable mates, animals have developed abilities to overcome the forces of gravity and inertia on their bodies and of unexpected exterior forces acting on their bodies (Dickinson et al. 2000). Reliable attachment between foot and substrate is most important for animals moving on the land, especially when moving on substrates with large slope angles (such as ≥90°) to the horizontal surface. In such cases, animals must find a way to...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Yudao Street 29, 210016, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Zhendong Dai

Authors
  1. Zhendong Dai
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Correspondence to Zhendong Dai .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for Surface Engineering and Tribology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Q. Jane Wang

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Center for Surface Engineering and Tribology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Yip-Wah Chung

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Dai, Z. (2013). Adhesion in the Animal World. In: Wang, Q.J., Chung, YW. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tribology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92897-5_1302

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