A team of researchers from the Imperial College of London has developed patterned materials that mimic the adhesive and antimicrobial properties found on the surfaces of insects.

Inspired specifically by the wavy and spiky surfaces on cicada and dragonfly wings that ward off bacteria, the researchers stretched and compressed cling-wrap like film to create 3D nano and microscale ripples and waves.

Source: Pellegrino et al.

To recreate the naturally occurring surface waves, which reportedly keep insects free and clear of bacteria, the researchers stretched and then relaxed the thin polymer films at the nanoscale.

By mimicking this design, the researchers hope to develop a textured material that similarly “pops” bacterial cells, which reportedly keeps insects clean.

As such, the material is being eyed for self-cleaning surface applications to avoid the overuse of disinfectants and thus the promotion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria growth. Once developed, the material could be employed in hospitals and schools, on public transportation and in food manufacturing settings. Researchers also suggest that the material could potentially be used to keep medical implants clean.

The study, Ripple Patterns Spontaneously Emerge through Sequential Wrinkling Interference in Polymer Bilayers, appears in the journal Physical Review Letters.