2012年五大科技突破

    壁虎胶带

    自然界是科技创新最可靠的灵感来源之一。作为五角大楼的科研主要力量，美国国防部高级研究计划局（Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency，DARPA）深谙这个道理。去年DARPA推出了一款外形像蜂鸟的无人侦查机，它甚至可以停在窗台上收集情报。

    普通老百姓要想买到属于自己的蜂鸟侦察机也许还很遥远。不过可能过不了多久，我们就能买到一款模仿壁虎脚研制的产品了。这种产品叫做“壁虎皮”（Geckskin），是一种超强吸力的粘合剂。它由马萨诸塞州的一支科学家团队发明。如同其它重大仿生学项目一样，它也是由DARPA资助的。

    与其它DARPA项目不同的是，壁虎皮在不久的将来就可用于多种非间谍性的居民日常活动。比如，只需一张索引卡片大小的壁虎皮，就能牢牢固定700磅重的物体。也就是说，不需要对墙壁造成任何损害，就可以把一个大屏幕的平板电视挂在墙上，日后把电视移走时，也不会留下任何痕迹。

    “这是一项很了不起的发明，并不仅仅由于它的古怪和实用，还由于它是一系列科技创新的早期信号，”汤姆奇科说。“未来几年里，我们会看见更多仿生学科研成果转化为商业产品和应用的例子。”

    Gecko tape

    The natural world is one of the most reliable resources for tech inspiration. DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), the Pentagon's research arm, is well aware of this. Just last year, it rolled out a new version of a hummingbird-shaped spy drone that can even perch on windowsills to collect information.

    But long before the general consumer can purchase his or her own mechanical avian espionage unit, civilians should be able to buy a product inspired by the footpad of a Gecko. The product, called Geckskin, is a super-strong adhesive. Geckskin was discovered by a team of scientists at the University of Massachusetts and, like other major biomimicry projects, it was funded by DARPA.

    Unlike other DARPA projects, Geckskin could have more immediate uses for your everyday non-spy. For example, an index-card-size piece of Geckskin should support up to 700 pounds. That's enough might to secure large-screen televisions to a wall without damaging it or leaving residue after it's removed.

    "This is cool not just because it is quirky and functional but because this is an early signal of things to come," says Tomczyk. "In the next few years, we will see more examples of commercial products and applications that replicate nature. "