Tree Frog Toe Pads Research Articles

Nanoscale friction and adhesion of tree frog toe pads

Tree frogs have become an object of interest in biomimetics due to their ability to cling to wet and slippery surfaces. In this study, we have investigated the adhesion and friction behavior of toe pads of White’s tree frog (Litoria caerulea) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in an aqueous medium. Facilitating special types of AFM probes with radii of ∼400 nm and ∼13 μm, we were able to sense the frictional response without damaging the delicate nanopillar structures of the epithelial cells. While we observed no significant adhesion between both types of probes and toe pads in wet conditions, frictional forces under such conditions were very pronounced and friction coefficients amounted between 0.3 and 1.1 for the sliding friction between probes and the epithelial cell surfaces.

Bioinspired Surface for Surgical Graspers Based on the Strong Wet Friction of Tree Frog Toe Pads.

Soft tissue damage is often at risk during the use of a surgical grasper, because of the strong holding force required to prevent slipping of the soft tissue in wet surgical environments. Improvement of wet friction properties at the interface between the surgical grasper and soft tissue can greatly reduce the holding force required and, thus, the soft tissue damage. To design and fabricate a biomimetic microscale surface with strong wet friction, the wet attachment mechanism of tree frog toe pads was investigated by observing their epithelial cell structure and the directionally dependent friction on their toe pads. Using these observations as inspiration, novel surface micropatterns were proposed for the surface of surgical graspers. The wet friction of biomimetic surfaces with various types of polygon pillar patterns involving quadrangular pillars, triangular pillars, rhomboid pillars, and varied hexagonal pillars were tested. The hexagonal pillar pattern exhibited improved wet frictional performance over the modern surgical grasper jaw pattern, which has conventional macroscale teeth. Moreover, the deformation of soft tissue in the bioinspired surgical grasper with a hexagonal pillar pattern is decreased, compared with the conventional surgical grasper.

Bioinspired Functionally Graded Adhesive Materials: Synergetic Interplay of Top Viscous–Elastic Layers with Base Micropillars

Inspired by the amazing adhesion abilities of the toe pads of geckos and tree frogs, we report an experimental study on the integration of a dissipative material (resembling the dissipative and wet nature of the tree frog toe pads) to an elastic fibrillar interface (resembling the dry and fibrillar nature of the gecko foot pads). Accordingly, a new type of functionally graded adhesive is introduced, which is composed of an array of elastic micropillars at the base, a thin elastic intermediate layer and a viscoelastic top layer. A systematic investigation of this bioinspired graded adhesive structure was performed in comparison with three control adhesive materials: a viscoelastic film, a viscoelastic film coated on a soft elastomer, and elastic film-terminated micropillars. The results showed that this graded structure bestows remarkable adhesive properties in terms of pull-off force, work of adhesion, and structural integrity (i.e., inhibited cohesive failure). Moreover, an extraordinary compliance was observed, which is attributed to the polymer slippage at the top layer. Overall, we attribute the improved adhesive properties to the synergetic interplay of top viscous–elastic layers with the base biomimetic micropillars.

Comparative Cryo-SEM and AFM studies of hylid and rhacophorid tree frog toe pads

Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) offer new avenues for the study of the morphology of tree frog adhesive toe pads. Using these techniques, we compare toe pad microstructure in two distantly related species of tree frog, Litoria caerulea, White (Hylidae) and Rhacophorus prominanus, Smith (Rhacophoridae), in which the toe pads are considered to be convergent. AFM demonstrates the extraordinary similarity of both surface microstructures (largely hexagonal epithelial cells surrounded by deep channels) and nanostructures (an array of nanopillars, ca. 350 nm in diameter, all with a small dimple at the apex). The cryo-SEM studies examined the distribution of the fibrillar cytoskeleton within the different layers of the stratified toe pad epithelium, demonstrating that the cytoskeletal elements (keratin tonofilaments) that lie at an angle to the surface are relatively poorly developed in L. caerulea, clearly so in comparison to R. prominanus. Cryo-SEM also enabled the visualization of the fluid layer that is critical to a toe pad's adhesive function. This was achieved by examination of the frozen fluid residues left behind after removal of a toe within the cryo-SEM's experimental chamber. Such 'toeprints' demonstrated the presence of a wedge of fluid surrounding each toe pad, as well as fluid filling the channels that surround each epithelial cell. Cryo-SEM was used to examine epithelial cell shape. In a sample of 582 cells, 59.5% were hexagonal, the remainder being mainly pentagonal (23.1%) or heptagonal (16.1%). The distribution of differently-shaped cells was not random, but was not associated with either pad curvature or the distribution of mucous pores that provide fluid for the frogs' wet adhesion mechanism. Our main finding, the great similarity of toe pad structure in these two species, has important implications for biomimetics, for such convergent evolution suggests a good starting point for attempts to develop adhesives that will function in wet conditions.

Influence of surface roughness on wet adhesion of biomimetic adhesive pads with planar microstructures

Biological adhesive pads of some reptiles and insects, such as tree frogs and grasshoppers, are covered with planar microstructures and have strong and stable adhesive ability on both wet and dry substrates. These adhesion forces do not mainly come from van-der-Waals force but wet adhesion. In this study, the influence of substrates' surface roughness on the wet adhesion of man-made adhesive pads inspired by tree frog toe pads is investigated experimentally. Biomimetic polydimethylsiloxane adhesive pads with planar hexagon microstructures with a microchannels width of 10 μm are fabricated by combining electroforming with soft lithography. Experiments of wet adhesive force between the pads and sandpaper slices with different average surface roughness are carried out at various preloads. Results show that the rougher surface leads to the decrement of wet adhesion force. It is also observed that if the microcosmic profile height of the substrates is near or less than the width of microchannels in the biomimetic adhesive pads, the microstructures and preloads can increase significantly the wet adhesive force, otherwise the microstructures and preloads do not contribute indistinctively. The experimental results can be explained by analysing the relation between the solid contact area and the area with a liquid bridge.

Self-cleaning in tree frog toe pads; a mechanism for recovering from contamination without the need for grooming

Tree frogs use adhesive toe pads for climbing on a variety of surfaces. They rely on wet adhesion, which is aided by the secretion of mucus. In nature, the pads will undoubtedly get contaminated regularly through usage, but appear to maintain their stickiness over time. Here, we show in two experiments that the toe pads of White's tree frogs (Litoria caerulea) quickly recover from contamination through a self-cleaning mechanism. We compared adhesive forces prior to and after contamination of (1) the whole animal on a rotatable platform and (2) individual toe pads in restrained frogs mimicking individual steps using a motorised stage. In both cases, the adhesive forces recovered after a few steps but this took significantly longer in single toe pad experiments from restrained frogs, showing that use of the pads increases recovery. We propose that both shear movements and a 'flushing' effect of the secreted mucus play an important role in shedding particles/contaminants.

Elastic modulus of tree frog adhesive toe pads

Previous work using an atomic force microscope in nanoindenter mode indicated that the outer, 10- to 15-μm thick, keratinised layer of tree frog toe pads has a modulus of elasticity equivalent to silicone rubber (5–15 MPa) (Scholz et al. 2009), but gave no information on the physical properties of deeper structures. In this study, micro-indentation is used to measure the stiffness of whole toe pads of the tree frog, Litoria caerulea. We show here that tree frog toe pads are amongst the softest of biological structures (effective elastic modulus 4–25 kPa), and that they exhibit a gradient of stiffness, being stiffest on the outside. This stiffness gradient results from the presence of a dense network of capillaries lying beneath the pad epidermis, which probably has a shock absorbing function. Additionally, we compare the physical properties (elastic modulus, work of adhesion, pull-off force) of the toe pads of immature and adult frogs.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00359-011-0658-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Structural correlates of adhesion and friction in tree frog toe pads

Structural correlates of adhesion and friction in tree frog toe pads

Structural correlates of increased adhesive efficiency with adult size in the toe pads of hylid tree frogs

Tree frogs are able to climb smooth, vertical substrates using specialised toe pads which adhere via an area-based wet adhesive mechanism. Although the link between pads and arboreality in frogs is well-established, few studies have investigated the influence of morphology on adhesion. Trinidadian tree frogs from the genus Hyla are geometrically similar. There is a tendency towards comparatively reduced mass in larger species, but toe pad area increases as expected with isometry. As adhesion is area-dependent, forces are affected directly by the increase in mass relative to pad area, and there is a decrease in the ability of larger species to adhere to smooth rotation platforms. However, there is an increase in force per unit area that suggests larger species have more efficient toe pads. Toe pad structure is very similar though there are variations in the details of a number of features. Crucially, although differences in morphology appeared small they had demonstrable effects on adhesive efficiency of the pads. Epithelial cell area correlates positively with frog length and adhesive efficiency, related features of cell density and intercellular channel length correlate negatively. These findings are discussed in relation to the different forces involved in the tree frogs' wet adhesive system.

Wet but not slippery: boundary friction in tree frog adhesive toe pads

Tree frogs are remarkable for their capacity to cling to smooth surfaces using large toe pads. The adhesive skin of tree frog toe pads is characterized by peg-studded hexagonal cells separated by deep channels into which mucus glands open. The pads are completely wetted with watery mucus, which led previous authors to suggest that attachment is solely due to capillary and viscous forces generated by the fluid-filled joint between the pad and the substrate. Here, we present evidence from single-toe force measurements, laser tweezer microrheometry of pad mucus and interference reflection microscopy of the contact zone in Litoria caerulea, that tree frog attachment forces are significantly enhanced by close contacts and boundary friction between the pad epidermis and the substrate, facilitated by the highly regular pad microstructure.

Adhesion and Detachment of the Toe Pads of Tree Frogs

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms by which the toe pads of tree frogs adhere to and detach from surfaces during climbing have been studied in Osteopilus septentrionalis and other tree frogs using a variety of techniques.The experiments on attachment lend general support to the theory that toe pads stick by wet adhesion. First, the presence of a meniscus surrounding the area of contact shows that pad and surface are connected by a fluid-filled joint. Second, experiments on single toe pads of anaesthetised frogs demonstrate that the pads exhibit the velocity-dependent resistance to shear forces expected of any system employing a fluid as an adhesive mechanism. Third, the largest adhesive forces that toe pads can generate (approx. 1.2mNmm−2, calculated from data on sticking ability) are within the range that can be produced by wet adhesion. Simple measurements of the forces needed to separate a pair of metal discs joined by mucus demonstrate that both viscous forces (Stefan adhesion) and surface tension (the two components of wet adhesion) are likely to play significant roles in the tree frog’s adhesive mechanism.The experiments on detachment demonstrate that toe pads are detached from surfaces by peeling, the pads being removed from the rear forwards during forward locomotion up a vertical surface. When the frogs were induced to walk backwards down this vertical slope, peeling occurred from the front of the pad rearwards. Use of a force platform to measure directly the forces exerted by the feet during climbing shows that, during forward locomotion up a vertical slope, this peeling is not accompanied by any detectable detachment forces. Such forces of detachment are seen, however, during backward walking down the slope and when belly skin comes into contact with the platform. That peeling occurs automatically during forward locomotion is supported both by observations of peeling in single toe pads of anaesthetised frogs and by the inability of frogs to adhere to vertical surfaces in a head-down orientation. Indeed, frogs on a rotating vertical surface were observed to adjust their orientations back towards the vertical whenever their deviation from the vertical reached 85.1 ±21.5°. During forward locomotion peeling seems to occur as a natural consequence of the way in which the toes are lifted off surfaces from the rear forwards, while during backward locomotion it is an active process involving the distal tendons of the toes.

The adhesion of treefrog toe-pads to glass: cryogenic examination of a capillary adhesion system

Treefrog adhesive toe-pads in contact with a glass surface were examined with scanning electron microscopy after preparation of the specimens using cryogenic methods. Frozen two-pads lost all adhesive abilities, which may be ascribed to the freezing and cold contraction of the intermediary fluid found between the toe-pad and the substrate. Residue from this fluid remained behind on both toe-pad and the substrate. Impressions of toe-pad epithelial cells in the residue indicate that the individual cells may be relatively free to find their own closest contact with the substrate. The results corroborate earlier models indicating the importance of the intermediary fluid in a capillary adhesion system.

Comparison of toe pads of some southern African climbing frogs

The morphology of the toe pads of eight species of Hyperolius (Hyperoliidae), Chiromantis xerampelina, Leptopelis natalensis and Kassina maculata (Rhacophoridae) was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Disc width, margin width and toe pad cell size are variable in Hyperolius, but not directly related to frog size. The rhacophorids were found to have type II mucous pores, contradicting earlier findings. SEM work on toe pads is not taxonomically useful at the species level. We suggest that the circumferal groove may play a role in retaining liquid essential for the adhesion of tree-frog toe pads to smooth surfaces.

Adhesion and the Toe-Pads of Treefrogs

Various hypotheses concerning the functional mechanism of the toe-pads of treefrogs are discussed. A test of the relative adhesive abilities of the tetraploid treefrog Hyla versicolor and its diploid sibling species Hyla chrysoscelis shows little difference in ability to adhere to glass despite known large differences in the sizes of the pad cells. The adhesion of the toe-pads is thus related to the area of contact and not to the size or number of pad cells. Freshly killed treefrogs are as sticky as live treefrogs. The reduction of surface tension by soap solutions or detergent reversibly diminishes adhesive ability. Surface tension is the primary means by which treefrog toe-pads adhere to glass.