Artificial beetle foot, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This artificial foot mimics (biomimetics) the protruding hair-like microstructures found on the foot of a beetle. The microstructures are able to generate strong adhesive forces, known as Van der Waals forces, that enable the foot to stick to walls. A five square centimetre section of the artificial foot is able to hang upside down and hold objects weighing up to one hundred grams. The material is reusable and does not leave marks. It could be used one day on the feet of walking robots or for general adhesive purposes. Photographed at the Evolutionary Biomaterials Group, Max-Planck Institute for Metals Research, Germany.