<ul><li>Researchers at the University of Waterloo observed a sphere rolling down a vertical surface, defying common sense and challenging the understanding of physics.</li><li>The unique behavior was achieved with a pea-sized soft gel sphere possessing a specific combination of elasticity and texture, similar to a gummy bear with a mouse pad exterior.</li><li>The sphere's dynamically changing contact diameter and unique contact asymmetry allowed it to roll down a 90-degree surface without sliding or falling.</li><li>This discovery could have practical applications in soft robotics for inspecting pipe interiors, exploring cave systems, and developing devices for space exploration on celestial bodies.</li></ul>

Vertically rolling ball ‘challenges our basic understanding of physics’

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