The Gecko's Foot: Bio-inspiration: Engineering New Materials from Nature

by Peter Forbes

A riveting account of the unexpected relationship between nature and scientific design. "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." When Frank Lloyd Wright said this, he probably wasn't envisioning self-cleaning surfaces, the photonic crystal, or Velcro. But nature has indeed yielded such inventions for those scientists and engineers who heeded the architect's words.

The cutting-edge science of bio-inspiration gives way to architectural and product designs that mimic intricate mechanisms found in nature. In Peter Forbes's engaging book we discover that the spiny fruits of the cocklebur inspired the hook-and-loop fastener known as Velcro; unfolding leaves, insect wings, and space solar panels share similar origami folding patterns; the self-cleaning leaves of the sacred lotus plant have spawned a new industry of self-cleaning surfaces; and cantilever bridges have much in common with bison spines.

As we continue to study nature, bio-inspiration will transform our lives and force us to look at the world in a new way.

Genres: Science, Engineering, Nonfiction, Biology, Technology, Popular Science, Design

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2006

About the author

Peter Forbes (born 1960) is a Scottish actor known for his roles in West End musicals, including Follies in 2017 to 2019, and for his audio recording work.

Reviews

[Elentarri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book exploring how scientists, engineers and architects are "taking a leaf from nature's book" and applying its properties to modern technological innovations. This book explores such topics as self-cleaning glass surfaces (Lotus-effect), how to stick without being sticky (the gecko's foot), how to bend light like a butterfly (photonic crystals), extra strength mussel glue, flying like a fly, velcro, nature's nylon, how to self-assemble electronic components (molecular erector and how to raise a roof with tensile wires that should sag rather than soar (tensegrity). This book also includes several black and white photographs and diagrams to illustrate concepts. The author has managed to convey the excitement of the subject, without making it boring and dull. This book is nicely written and not terribly technical.

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gecko's Foot was a thoroughly interesting book. The book is divided up into several standalone sections, each focussing on a different aspect of bio-inspired technology. Each one of them was extremely interesting. Though this book really only skims the surface (given the depth of each individual subject, this can be forgiven). This book really whets my interest in certain topics discussed, such as origami for engineering purposes. I plan on going back and trying some of the little experiments suggested by the author as a proof of concept.

Overall, I recommend Forbes' book for anyone with an interest in what nature is teaching us at the cutting edge of technology!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. With fascinating pieces on Lotus plants and spider silk this book captivates. It explains how biology can be used in or for technology in highly creative ways. It's a fun way of looking into what the future may look like. It also has poetry and historical facts along with the science.

[Seth Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative but has 3 big flaws

1) It's written in 2005 and is now so outdated as to be almost useless
2) Has a lot of philosophical filler that adds nothing
3) Is not scientific enough. It's written for an absolute layman. Why would a layman even want to know that stuff?

[Degenerate Chemist · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Gecko's Foot" is a survey of bio-inspiration in engineering current to 2005. How much you enjoy this is really going to depend on how closely you keep track of modern engineering- this book is almost 20 years old.

Despite being out of date it does a fairly good job of explaining the science and the importance of the discovery. There is a distinct lack of respect for the bio- side of the equation that rubbed me the wrong way. Some of the solutions material scientists developed were based entirely on plastics and if anything our species should be backing away from plastic use, not encouraging it.

I was turned off by how many of these discoveries were cheapened into only their commercial value. Here is this butterfly, a wonder of nature, and here is the fabric for the interior of a Mercedes that we developed from studying it. Venture Capitalists, military applications, and DARPA are mentioned on every other page.

This book was more discouraging and depressing than anything else. I did learn a few things from it despite the fact that its 20 years old.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you have any idea that the leaves of the lotus plant were self-cleaning? Furthermore, did you know that there is already a successful German line of self-cleaning paints based on that idea? I didn't. In fact, I didn't know a fraction of the things Forbes reveals in this fascinating book. I guess that makes it a worthwhile read, then, eh? (One confessional note: I did find this book to be better suited for skimming than for cover-to-cover reading, but then, I have a short attention span.)

[Elecia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Material is interesting but dated.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting find at a used book store, this book covers the beginnings of the novel field of bio-inspired design/biomimicry/however you want to call it. The focus was on understanding the structural design of certain animal traits at the nano level, which is a relatively new field of research.

From research on how lotus leaves clean themselves, how geckos can walk on the ceiling, how iridescent colors work in animals, to how spider silk gets its properties, etc., the author explains the current understanding of how these things work at the nano level. Because these properties of the animals mentioned are almost entirely due to tiny physical structures, they can be studied and copied for engineering purposes to solve human problems. There are quite a lot of cool applications for these properties mentioned in this book, from self-cleaning paint, camouflage, bridges, space sails, adhesives, and more.

I wish the author had waited like ten more years to write this book, but I can only say that because I am first reading it about twenty years after it was published. A little less interesting in the second half than the first, but still a good read if you like animals or are interested in engineering topics.

[Fairuz Fatin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just started to become acquainted with this branch of STEAMD when I was exposed to it in my last months of university. It's not a new book so recent developments are obviously not in the picture, but as an aspiring engineer/designer bordering on bio-inspiration, this book is capable of conveying the kind of intuitive outlook that paved the way for these inventions. For every question there is about nature, don't forget that its secrets are kept at the nano level, preserved through evolution. We as humans create designs by using nature's principles and mechanisms. Finding meaning by merging my favourite disciplines—...I'm defo geeking out right now.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fascinating stuff. It's ten years old (from when I finished it), but a lot of this science is still quite new. The author points out that he's not trying to talk about technologies we'll be using tomorrow, but that it's a glorious time to become aware of the many biological sources we can learn from. I would have liked it more if there were pictures included, because I have a difficult time visualizing these structures. I read it digitally, maybe a physical copy has pictures. I was constantly googling obscure scientific images, which can be surprisingly tricky.

[Bob Beilstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book, but all of the figures are gone

The publisher decided to not provide any of the illustrations that are in the real book. Yes, I can go to Google to look them up myself, but it is unconscionable to advertise this book without making it clear that it's only the text, and nothing like the printed article.

[Lara Firat · Rating 3 out of 5]

i did really find the stuff super interesting but it was too much info lollll and also i switched to reading from a kindle and afterwards the writing font was too small and i just got too overwhelmed. took me like a year to finish, should be read with loads of ✨fiction✨ on the side <3
i won’t lie took me like on and off since december to finish 😳

[Chip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continues my interest in bioinspirational/biomimic science & technology. Great stories, ideas and results. Kinda textbookie, but you expect that.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but probably now slightly dated.

[Sheila Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I learned so much and it makes you look at nature from a different perspective.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have sworn I already reviewed this...but it's not on my list.
I struggled with this one, because it seems to struggle with itself. The whole idea is inspiring and fascinating to me, and I was finally pushed to read this based on a project at work. The author tries to strike a balance, but kind of fails -- it's too dry and technical to be a compelling narrative, but too simplistic to provide real details, and so falls in an awkward middle place where I'm left more frustrated/confused than inspired. I'm giving it 3 instead of 2 stars just for the thought-provoking nature and its value as a jump-off resource -- one that gives you enough info to start looking for more depth if you so desire.

[Beth Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this survey of how groups of materials scientists were looking to nature for ideas on how to improve our current materials and abilities to build new things. Since the book was published in 2006 I'm now also considering doing some internet searches to follow up on these groups and see if the research progressed further and made it into new practical applications. Forbes did a good job of explaining the biological science to those of us who don't have much of a background there (me) and going into enough detail in the material science part to intrigue (me). I hope it worked as well for readers with the opposite background or more general backgrounds.

[Woodward Library]

Noboru Yonemitsu, Senior Instructor, Civil Engineering recommends . . .
The Gecko's Foot by Peter Forbes


Why is this a favourite book?


This small book contains a series of very interesting nature’s wonders which could be applied to human manufacture. Great introduction to bio-mimicry with rather simple, non-scientific writing. Entertaining for all ages.

[Dsgalvao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Forbes has written a fantastic book. It guides you through well selected examples on the field of bioinspired materials. The chapter that gives the title book is a masterpiece. I read and reread this book many times always enjoying it.

[Malvika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the topics and discoveries Forbes discussed, but sometimes he waxed a bit too lyrical about the beauty of the science behind each technology discussed. Overall a really enlightening read, though. I learned a lot and I'm glad I picked it up!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts strong and interesting, fizzles as the book progresses from the more factual to the more theoretical.

[Matt Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good I took notes.