A Gecko-Inspired Startup Aims to Revolutionize Adhesives Like Velcro
By combining the principles of biomimicry and cutting-edge technology, a former Stanford researcher aims to establish her revolutionary adhesive as a staple in every home.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to possess the gripping ability of a gecko? How can humanity replicate such a remarkable trait? This inquiry ignited the imagination of Capella Kerst.
This fascination ultimately inspired the ex-Stanford researcher to establish Gecko Materials, an award-winning startup creating adhesive products based on gecko-inspired technology.
Kerst, now 33, shared on EpochTV’s “Bay Area Innovators” program that immediately after earning her Ph.D. in 2021, she launched her venture from her mother’s garage.
“Starting a business has been my dream since I was young,” Kerst revealed.
“I aspire to run my own company and make a positive impact on people’s lives.”
One of her ambitions includes enhancing energy efficiency in overseas manufacturing and encouraging the return of some industries to the United States.
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Gecko Materials has developed a reusable dry adhesive known for its exceptional stickiness. Just one square inch of this innovative material can hold up to 15 pounds, while a set of six square-inch tiles can even lift a car.
“Gecko Materials is poised to become the next evolution of industrial Velcro,” explained Kerst. “Our product is a one-sided adhesive featuring microscopic hairs that generate a powerful force through shear, specifically the Van der Waals force, which allows it to adhere to both smooth and finely textured surfaces.”
The Van der Waals forces are the molecular interactions that endow geckos with their remarkable adhesion capabilities.
Kerst noted that the inspiration for her innovation stemmed from one of her Ph.D. mentors, Mark Cutkosky, a leader in the biomimicry domain, which examines nature’s strategies—including gecko locomotion—to resolve human challenges.
More than two decades ago, Kerst recounted, Cutkosky participated in important biomimicry research focused on these agile lizards. The findings discovered that geckos navigate smooth surfaces not by utilizing secretion or suction but through tiny micro-hooks.
“Those tiny hairs create a significant force when sheer is applied,” she explained.
Kerst pointed out that Gecko Materials could be reused up to 120,000 times, a significant upgrade compared to the 2,000 uses typical of standard Velcro fasteners.
This adhesive does not leave residue and is suitable for use in various atmospheric conditions, including vacuum settings. Its applications extend to the International Space Station and private spaceflight enterprises.
While Kerst is not the first to invent a gecko-inspired dry adhesive, she highlighted in her Ph.D. dissertation that “practical implementations of this technology remain scarce.”
Challenges in mass production have previously hindered widespread adoption, as these adhesives have traditionally been created in smaller quantities.
Kerst suggested in her research that if such adhesives could be produced efficiently and cost-effectively on a large scale, similar to Velcro, they would likely find diverse applications, “driving further innovation and differentiation within the field.”
This ambition drives Kerst today as she collaborates with businesses across both public and private sectors, servicing clients in the automotive, semiconductor, and drone industries.
The entrepreneur expressed her gratitude for the faith that supports her through her company’s challenges. Kerst feels blessed by the rapid and smooth acquisition of investor funding.
She also acknowledges her mother’s unwavering support throughout her journey, recalling her mother’s encouraging words: “Whatever you choose to do, as long as you love it, I will support you.”
Kerst’s ultimate aspiration is for Gecko Materials to resonate with consumers at home.
“Imagine someone saying, ‘Can you swing by Safeway, Walmart, Lowe’s, or Home Depot to grab some Gecko Materials? We’re out at home!’—I want our products to be a significant and sustainable component of everyday life,” shared Kerst.
To aspiring young entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay area, Kerst offers some motivational guidance.
“If you’re driven by passion and addressing a genuine need for customers, pursue it,” she advised.
“Never hesitate to launch a business if you possess that deep internal motivation.”
