Micro/nanofabrication for a realistic beetle wing with a superhydrophobic surface

Bioinspir Biomim. 2012 Mar;7(1):016011. doi: 10.1088/1748-3182/7/1/016011. Epub 2012 Feb 16.

Abstract

In keeping with the high interest in micro air vehicles, microfabrication technologies have been developed in an attempt to mimic insect wings via a membrane-vein structure. In this work, we present microfabrication techniques that mimic a beetle wing to construct a realistic vein-membrane structure. Full microfabrication processes as well as sophisticated manipulations are introduced for constructing a realistic artificial wing whose key morphological and mechanical parameters can be achieved close to those of the real wing. Secondly, for wing loading reduction whenever moist air is present, we successfully fabricated superhydrophobic nanopillar forests by conventional nanofabrication techniques, such as ion beam and heat treatments. The creation of the nanopillar forests, which exist on the surface of leaves and insect wings, allowed lowering the dispersive component in a hydrophobic material, and the clustered nanopillars enhanced water repellency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetics / instrumentation*
  • Coleoptera / anatomy & histology*
  • Coleoptera / physiology*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Miniaturization
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology*
  • Wings, Animal / physiology*