Gecko Woman

Not a fictional superhero, but a real person.

And it could be you.

Look at the pictures above.

They depict ordinary people like you and me climbing vertical walls without ropes, without pitons, without assistance, in real life.

How are they doing it, you ask?

With GekkoMat.

What is GekkoMat?

It is an invention that mimics the gecko's style of clinging to vertical or overhanging walls.

I find it fascinating.

Many companies, among them Dupont and 3M, are pouring tons of money into research attempting to create a commercial adhesive product that works using the same principle.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have succeeded in producing what they call "Gekko Glue", a liquid which they characterize as "Velcro without the need for an opposite," but it's not ready for prime time just yet.

[via whereisben]