The team recreated surface waves found on insects by stretching the material at a right angle. (Image Credit: Imperial College London)
The whole world covered in this?
Imperial College London researchers developed materials with complex patterns that imitate a natural surface's antimicrobial, adhesive and drag-reducing properties. The team's concept came from cicada and dragonfly wings, which have spiky and wavy surfaces that can keep bacteria away. These materials have potential applications for self-disinfecting surfaces and marine transportation, where it reduces. In addition, these can also make colors more vibrant without relying on a pigmentation process.
The team conducted their research by studying cicada and dragonfly specimens from the Natural History Museum. Upon discovery, they realized they could reproduce the microscale surface waves by stretching and compressing thin polymer skins in precise directions.
Complex patterns can also be produced through lithography and other techniques. However, it's more expensive to achieve this over large areas. On the other hand, the researchers' new technique can be scaled at a more affordable cost if it's an effective and robust solution.
Applications for this new material include self-disinfecting surfaces in public transport, schools, hospitals, and food manufacturing. These surfaces waves can also help sanitize medical implants, which host bacterial matter that is extremely difficult to kill.
In addition, surface waves can be found on fingertips, in the human brain as it wrinkles, and sand beds. First author Dr. Luca Pellegrino, from Imperial's Department of Chemical Engineering, said, "The idea is compelling because it is simple: By mimicking the surface waves found in nature, we can create a palette of patterns with important applications. Through this work, we can also learn more about the possible origins of these natural forms—a field called morphogenesis."
Next, the team wants to see how well the material can perform in a real-world setting, such as a bus surface. They hope it can provide surface cleanliness solutions without relying on chemical cleaners.
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