Sticky Science: The Force Be With You with Neil deGrasse Tyson

What are Van der Waals forces? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore the fascinating world of surfaces, biomimicry, and Formula 1 with physicist and author of Sticky: The Science of Surfaces, Laurie Winkless.

What’s up with gecko feet? We break down how geckos defy gravity and the hierarchical structure of their lamellae that makes them so sticky. How close do gecko’s feet get to the surface they’re on? We explain Van der Waals interactions and the groundbreaking applications of gecko biomimicry for us humans.

What does “laying down rubber” mean? Learn about the forces at play on Formula 1 tires. What do they have in common with gecko feet? Discover tribology and the principles of friction. How do rubber tires work? Is there a way to make them faster? How does a tire make contact with the road? We discuss rain tires and new materials like carbon carbon.

We also explore the physics of other special surfaces. Can we make a boat that never gets wet? Find out about the Salvinia fern and how its helping scientists create the ultimate low friction coating. How do golf balls reduce friction in the air? Is the air also sticky? You’ll also learn about how Sharks reduce drag using their dermal denticles. All that, plus, how can Chuck become spiderman?

Thanks to our Patrons Artist formerly known as James Smith, Joseph Strasser, Salvatore Scuiri, Kyle Dagg, Luke Ehlers, Paul Bowe, Jason R.Y. Rankin, Ann Young, Jasam Mohammed, and Jan Bojarp for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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0:00 - Introduction
3:42 - Why Do Geckos Have Sticky Feet?
12:45 - What Is Gecko Tape?
15:39 - What Is The Vomit Comet?
16:12 - How Gecko-Inspired Technology Is Being Used
16:30 - Geckos' Hydrophobic Feet
19:53 - Tribology
21:05 - Tires & Van der Waals Forces
25:36 - Are Formula 1 Tires Hydrophobic?
27:30 - Friction in Formula 1 Racing
29:06 - Carbon-Carbon
31:17 - Regenerative Braking
35:29 - Tribology R&D
41:24 - Aerodynamic Surfaces
44:27 - The Science Of Touch
47:13 - Sharks & Dermal Denticals
50:44 - Laurie Winkless's Books
51:49 - Closing Notes

[StarTalk]

Did you have any idea Geckos could be so interesting?

[asef]

There was a lot of tangents in this episode. Learned a lot! And Laurie Winkless amazingly answered every question they came up with! She should definitely come back!! 🙂

[itiscramb]

You really see how much Laurie Winkless loves what she talks about, really amazing episode. So easy and enjoyable to listen, understand and follow up. Also love all the episodes with Gary O'Reilly, such a sympathic human.

[dlintorishi]

StarTalk is the only science pod cast channel that starts and ends with a smile on my face for every video.

[Izz_]

Three days in a row, binge watching every video. I cant get enough of this📖 Neil and chuck are the best combo for this❤️❤️❤️

[sherrie]

I love listening to Laurie Winkless explain how things work. She has a great way of explaining that I can understand, has a great sense of humor and her accent is a bonus.

[TheSolXP]

I love how the entire team has become smarter as the years go by with Neil's influence. Way to keep on learning.

[classyswag]

Man, I had a rough day and have been looking forward to listening to this after work, and the first segment ab geckos turned my mood around. I love this podcast so much. Thank you StarTalk crew! 🙏

[sanayoot]

I’ve been following this channel for quite a while and I regard Sir Neil deGrasse Tyson as my greatest teacher in life. But I have to say Chuck Nice, my guy, you show an amazing growth. It just goes to show, you’re infected by those you hang around. The intelligent questions you ask, your crispy sharp reactions and well timed jokes…my deepest respect to you!

Thanx for all the lessons and helping us see the magic of the universe in the most tiny things!
By the way, as a kid in West Africa, I used to be amazed at the grip of a gecko so this episode was extra special. Lil side note: me and my friends used to go on gecko and salamander hunt at night. We were quite cruel cuz we used to be amazed by the tails of these animals. Don’t judge me, I was a bad kid at 8😜

[vvrroomm]

Amazing show. Singing a few bars of the Speed Racer car toon theme song was icing on the cake. Tremendous chemistry with all four of you. ❤️

[chris_johns]

What an amazing woman Laurie is! She's fantastic I hope you guys bring her back what a great episode 👏 so interesting, startalk has been my obsession thank you Neil and Chuck, and Gary, you guys make this entertaining while being informative

[timperry]

Just got Ms. Winkless' book on Audible. I like the way she teaches.

[mattevans-koch]

Laurie Winless was an absolutely fantastic guest and super questions from everyone. I have always wondered if when painting the bottom surface of a boat with a paint that created very small but measurable dimples like a golf ball, how that would affect the flow of water along the surface. Also wondered if you could have the surface of say a submarine exude a thin layer of water how that would affect its slickness and speed. Thank you all for a wonderful Friday evening.

[Therealw]

AHHH!!! I actually STUDIED geckos in college in a course on biological design. We actually made mock-adhesives based on the physical structure of gecko feet.

Very cool!!! 😃

[AtlanticPicture]

This was right from the gecko, but Laurie's DON'T PANIC pendant really tipped the scales. 😁

[pederlindstrom]

Greetings from northen Sweden and a long time subscriber.
I have a crested gecko and he does not like wet or moist glass. If I spray water in his tank (terrarium) and he moves over that surface he just slides over the glass or even falls off. Crested geckos, according to my son are the ones that does not grow their tails back if they loose it.

[vc]

would a plane with a golf ball dimple pattern on its surface have less friction and therefore not heat so much?

[truwth]

Laurie is a unique double threat: smart AND likeable

[MatteoRuberto]

I remember when I was into rowing (In my teenage years) and the tech staff in my club explained me they used to scratch the boat surface with sandpaper of a certain size so that air bubbles would stuck to the boat’s surface. We are talking 20 years ago

[klaxoncow]

Yeah, animators remove a finger and a toe, because it "looks wrong", even though it's actually completely correct.

It's a very weird psychological thing, really. That the actual right answer "looks wrong" - at least, with simplified animations, as obviously actual hands and feet look fine on TV and film. But, with a simple line drawing, there's something with 5 fingers looking "too complicated" and the brain saying "no" to it (on a subconscious level - on a conscious level, of course, we're all with Neil that it makes zero sense).

You need to get some kind of brain scientist / animator on a Star Talk at some point, trying to explain that one.

Because it definitely is weird and really needs some kind of explanation.

(And I guess it contains some kind of "cautionary tale" about how our own brains lie to us sometimes - optical illusions - which is why it's often a really dreadful idea to "go with your gut" and not the science and the evidence. Our human instincts and intuitions are often horridly wrong, in certain circumstances.)