Scientists Have Created a Material Which Mimics Cicada Wings That Can Kill Bacteria
The wings of cicadas are capable of self-cleaning. That is they can kill and remove any bacteria that comes into contact with them. Now researchers have developed a material that can do just that.
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00:00The wings of these insects, cicadas, are capable of self-cleaning.
00:07That is to say, they can kill and remove any bacteria that comes into contact with them.
00:12But how?
00:13Well, they are covered in what can only be described as millions of microscopic flat-tipped
00:16spikes.
00:17And now experts say they are getting closer to understanding how they work, and it could
00:21be a boon for medical science.
00:23Researchers developed a material that has a very similar shape to the microstructures
00:27found on cicada wings, finding that when they recreated the surface structures that
00:31were 10 nanometers tall, 50 nanometers wide, and 70 nanometers apart, not only would E.
00:36coli bacteria die on contact, but the dead bacteria was shed from the structures, leaving
00:41no trace, with the researchers saying about it, quote, it's known that sometimes when
00:45bacteria cells die and they absorb onto surfaces, their debris will stay on the surface and
00:49therefore make it a better environment for their brethren to come in and absorb on top
00:53of them.
00:54Scientists say this is a huge advancement, as this is the primary way a lot of biomedical
00:57materials fail, because there's nothing that addresses debris that's left behind and harbors
01:02more bacteria.
01:03The tiny pillars work to destroy bacteria because the cells attempt to attach to the
01:06surface.
01:07However, the pillar width and depth tug at the bacteria's membrane, causing it to rupture.
01:11After it ruptures, the texture of the surface continues to pull at the membrane until tension
01:15builds and the bacteria detaches.