... can perform locomotion on solid substrates in an aquatic environment. To address the biomechanics of locomotion on rigid substrates, we studied the ‘somersaulting’ locomotion in Hydra . We applied atomic force microscopy to measure the local mechanical properties of Hydra 's body column and identified...

... ( Coccinella septempunctata ) by the use of atomic force microscopy. Flattened droplets of the beetle had lower evaporation rates than hemispherical footprints of the fly. Within 1 h, the droplet volume reduced to 21% of the initial volume for the fly, and to 65% for the beetle, suggesting a larger fraction...

... we demonstrate that this fine hair structure enhances the ability of the hairs to resist penetration into water bodies. * Author for correspondence ( [email protected] ) 24 11 2010 © 2011. 2011 wing leg insect anti-wetting atomic force microscopy hair water...

... alata . Second, investigation of the pitcher surface by focused ion beam treatment showed that the wax crystals form a compact 3D structure. Third, atomic force microscopy of the platelet-shaped crystals revealed that the crystals are mechanically stable, rendering crystal detachment by insect pads...

..., a variety of techniques including atomic force microscopy were used to investigate the microstructure and properties of an epithelium that adheres through wet adhesion. Litoria toe pads consist of a hexagonal array of flat-topped epithelial cells, separated by mucus-filled channels. Under an atomic force...

...,1961 ). Samples were cured at 60°C for 3 days. * Author for correspondence( [email protected] ) 10 6 2008 © The Company of Biologists Limited 2008 2008 insect cuticle mechanical property articulation nanoindentation atomic force microscopy infrared receptor...

... atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that a single setule can produce an adhesive force (F a ) of 38.12 nN perpendicular to a surface. Consequently, at a total F a of 2.38×10 –2 N and a mean body mass of 15.1 mg, a safety factor (SF; F a /F m , where F m is weight) of 160 is achieved. Tenacity (τ n ; F...