ABSTRACT
Friction is an important issue with regard to saving energy and preventing the wear of parts in a wide variety of fields, such as the automobile industry and medicine. Terrestrial insects have developed their leg attachments into hairy pads and/or smooth pads. Both leg attachments match the surface profile of the habitat and then generate adhesive and friction force on the legs. Surface friction forces were measured to study body surface friction properties, that is, scales, including scale boundaries. The firebrat was fixed on a silicon substrate by carbon adhesive tape for measurement of the horizontal area. The head scales act as a mechano-sensor to identify whether the insect can enter a narrow space. The fourth is groove structures, which reduce the contact area and lead to reduction of friction forces. It is also suggested that scale backs are flat.
