You are surrounded by stickiness.
So do we really understand this force? Can we say with certainty that we know how a gecko climbs, what\'s behind our sense of touch, or why golf balls, boats and aircraft move as they do? Join Laurie as she seeks out the answers from experts scattered across the globe, uncovering a stack of scientific mysteries along the way..
Each time humanity has pushed the boundaries of Science and engineering, we\'ve discovered that friction still has a few surprises up its sleeve.
But this apparent success doesn\'t tell the whole story.
In Sticky , Laurie Winkless explores some of the ways that friction shapes both the manufactured and natural worlds, and describes how our understanding of surface Science has given us an ability to manipulate stickiness, down to the level of a single atom.
All of these things are controlled by tiny forces that operate on and between surfaces, with friction playing the leading role.
The rumbling of the Earth deep beneath your feet, and the ice that transforms waterways each winter.
The fingerprints linked to your identity.
The non-stick pan on your stove.
The Post-it note and glue in your desk drawer.
When you hit the road, whether powered by pedal or engine, you rely on grip to keep you safe.
With every step you take, air molecules cling to you and slow you down; the effect is harder to ignore in water.
You are surrounded by stickiness
