CTCR SE INSPIRA EN LOS PIES DEL GECKO PARA MEJORAR EL COEFICIENTE DE FRICCIÓN DE LAS SUELAS ANTIDESLIZANTES La unión hace la fuerza y ahí radica el secreto de la sorprendente adherencia de los lamentosos pies de este curioso lagarto que ha inspirado a los investigadores del CTCR para desarrollar un calzado de uso profesional caracterizado por sus propiedades antideslizantes. Excepcional adherencia natural El gecko es un tipo de lagarto capaz de subir super cies verticales, sin utilizar pegamento ni adhesivos químicos ni ningún tipo de succión. Este hecho ha llamado la atención del equipo de I+D+i del Centro Tecnológico del Calzado de La Rioja y, concretamente, a su personal experto en nanotecnología, que lo ha utilizado como objeto de estudio para su aplicación en el sector calzado. De hecho, es la presencia de estructuras de escala nanométrica en la parte inferior de los pies de este pequeño reptil lo que le proporciona la asombrosa capacidad de poder caminar sobre una amplia variedad de super cies, desa ando la ley de la gravedad. “Examinar el modo en que la naturaleza resuelve problemas complejos ha sido siempre un punto de partida inteligente para las investigaciones de materiales y tecnologías innovadoras (biomimética). Así, la capacidad de los geckos ha servido para la puesta en marcha de un nuevo proyecto que el CTCR está llevando a cabo junto a la empresa calzados Mendi, dedicada desde 1953 a la fabricación nacional de calzado de seguridad para cada sector profesional”, citan fuentes del Centro. CTCR INSPIRED BY THE FEET OF THE GECKO TO IMPROVE THE FRICTION COEFFICIENT OF NON-SLIP SOLES Union makes force and there lies the secret of the surprising adherence of the lamentous feet of the curious lizard that has inspired CTCR re- searchers to develop footwear for professional use characterized by its anti-slip properties. Exceptional natural adherence The gecko is a type of lizard capable of climbing vertical surfaces, without using glue or chemical adhesives or any type of suction. This fact has at- tracted the attention of the R&D&I team of the Technological Center of the Footwear of La Rioja and, speci cally, its personnel devoted to nano- technology that has used it as object of study for its application in the footwear sector. In fact, it is the presence of nanoscale structures in the bot- tom of the feet of this small reptile which gives it the amazing ability to walk on a wide variety of surfaces, defying the law of gravity. “Examining how nature solves complex prob- lems has always been a clever starting point for research into innovative materials and technolo- gies (biomimetic). Thus, the capacity of the geck- os has served to launch a new project that the CTCR is carrying out with the footwear compa- ny, Mendi, dedicated since 1953 to the national manufacture of footwear safety for each profes- sional sector”, sources of the Center cite. The purpose of the study This research pursues the design of a good non- slip material for shoes / safety boots. For this, nanotechnologists are analyzing previously the application of the anti-slip concept used by the reptile already mentioned, and its viability for the development of soles that imitate the geometry and the functioning of the gecko’s feet. In the whole shoe, the sole plays a fundamen- tal role, as it is responsible for absorbing the impact of the foot and to launch the foot when walking, thermal insulation, protect from uneven terrain and, of course, avoid slipping. Slips, trips and falls are the biggest cause of accidents in all economic sectors in the European Union, from heavy industry to of ce work. 24% of all occu- pational accidents are related to these three risks. Therefore, it is essential to have a sole that meets minimum slip resistance parameters, val- ues determined in the European standard ISO 20344:2012 for safety footwear. A priori, the work that the CTCR is developing in research has provided good results in the improvement of coef cients of friction in soles (CoF), and the creation of mixed patterns, with both macro and micrometric substructures, which can lead to increases in the CoF, implying the reduction of accidents by slips and minimiz- ing, in turn, the personal and economic damag- es that continue to occur in this area year after year. For its part, Mendi, a company belonging to the Rahman group with more than 60 years exper- tise in the manufacture of soles, becomes the ideal partner for the development of the project by having the most advanced technology, as well as knowing perfectly the needs of the Per- sonal Protection Equipment market. Inspiration in the reptile world The toes of the gecko are made up of a lot of very ne hairs (mushrooms), about 5,000 per mm2, on the ridges at the bottom. A single mushroom of the Tokay gecko is about 110 micrometers long and 4.2 micrometers wide. The end of each mushroom is divided into 400-1000 branches ending in a spatula-shaped structure of 0.2 to 0.5 micrometers in length. When a gecko puts its foot on a wall or other surface and twists its n- gers, its nanometer spatulas can get so close to the corners and cracks of the wall surface that its atoms interact with the atoms in the wall. Therein lies the animal’s gripping capacity, which is be- ing mimicked with nanotechnology in the sole of the modern footwear. The adherence of the lamentous feet of the gecko lizard has inspired CTCR researchers to develop professional foot- wear 92 PRODUCTOS DE ACTUALIDAD / UPDATED PRODUCTS