They want to discover...
They want to discover how millions of tiny hairs on the reptiles" feet help them cling to smooth, almost-vertical surfaces without slipping. And the US boffins are making similar materials to give tyres and road surfaces fantastic grip.
DriveStop (image) is...
DriveStop (image) is being used at forecourts to prevent motorists driving off without paying. It"s the brainchild of Jaginder Singh Mudhar from Wednesbury, West Mids, who said: "Drive-offs cost ÷£24.6million a year, and are second only to credit card fraud."
Staff activate spikes which rise from the ground to puncture tyres. One garage owner said: "Since installation, we haven"t had a single drive-off. It"s a very useful deterrent."