The Insect (cicada) Wing Membrane Micro/Nano Structure – Nature’s Templates forControl of Optics, Wetting, Adhesion, Contamination, Bacteria and Eukaryotic Cells

摘要

In order to survive, many insect species must utilise surfaceswhich are energy effective, material conserving and typicallymultifunctional. Insects are some of the oldest animals onthe planet and survive in a diverse range of environmentalconditions. It stands to reason therefore that they would possessfeatures which are highly tuned and refined through the processof evolution.The insect cuticle, and in particular the wings, have in recenttimes demonstrated a range of remarkable multifunctionalproperties which are of interest to biomimetic, medical,dental, material science, surface science, engineering, marine,biofouling, industrial and a host of multidisciplined researchers.Examination of the functional attributes and functional efficiencyof insect cuticle wing membranes may provide valuable lessonsfor how to incorporate multifunctional properties into manmadematerials, especially at surfaces and interfaces.While there is an extensive diversity in insect wing structuring,the superfamily Cicadoidea (cicadas) highlight and demonstratehow simplistic insect architectures can exhibit varied andmultifunctional properties. These include superhydrophobicity,self–cleaning, transparency, antireflection, high strength,ultra low particle adhesion/friction and control of bacterialand eukaryotic cell growth/adherence. This review, primarilyfocused on some of our recent studies, highlights the functionsand functional efficiency of the insect cuticle by focusing on thecicada wing, as an exemplary example, illustrating features thatare of particular relevance for biomimetic purposes.