Lizard Wizardry: Gecko Popcorn and Chameleon Crystals

The gecko just revealed another trick: turning water into popcorn. We've reported about geckos' amazing ability to climb smooth vertical surfaces with atomic adhesion, using microscopic hairs on their toes that cling with van der Waals forces. That's been inspiring biomimetic engineers for years. Now, another trick has been discovered that could lead to improved waterproof surfaces. An eye-catching video at New Scientist, accompanied by a popping-cool soundtrack by Jimmy Fontanez, shows how...