Jonathan B. Puthoff

Lewis & Clark College, California State Polytechnic University

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Jonathan B. Puthoff is a leading researcher in bio-inspired adhesion, with a primary focus on the gecko adhesive system. His work bridges materials science and biomechanics to uncover how fibrillar structures achieve remarkable stickiness and self-cleaning properties. In his highly cited 2013 study, Puthoff demonstrated that both hard and soft fibrillar structures can exhibit "dry self-cleaning," a phenomenon where gecko-inspired synthetic adhesives recover shear adhesion after fouling—a critical feature for practical applications like climbing robots and reusable tapes. This work, with 47 citations, established design principles for durable, contamination-resistant adhesives. Expanding on this, his 2016 review (37 citations) synthesized the properties, principles, and parameters governing gecko adhesion, providing a comprehensive framework that has guided subsequent research. Puthoff’s contributions have advanced understanding of how surface geometry and material stiffness interact to enable reversible adhesion, inspiring innovations in robotics, medical adhesives, and space technologies. His work is essential reading for students and engineers seeking to harness nature’s adhesive solutions for real-world challenges.