Insect wings inspire new self-cleaning technology, a new understanding of how insects use water droplets to remove dirt and pollutants from their bodies could help improve the performance of self-cleaning devices, according to research.
Many organisms, including cicadas, geckos and lotus plants have developed hydroponics in which morning dew forms perfectly around water droplets.
Now, scientists have revealed the exact process by which these water droplets meet, jump and pass through the wings of insects and on plants – taking small amounts of harmful substances.
Such methods can be used to improve the design and performance of self-made devices, including coatings for space, car coatings and biosensors, experts said.
A team of researchers from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh observed how the self-regulation process works in the wings of cicadas.
Using computer simulations powered by the ARCHER2 supercomputer, they found that pollutants can be removed in two ways – based on the attractive forces that play between water droplets, pollutants and surface particles.
The results show that when the force of the water drop is greater than the force exerted on the surface, the drop penetrates into the water which is deflected or splashed on the surface of the wing. cicada.
In other cases, the force of lift from the fusion of many water droplets will make the pollutants in the wings, turn into the shape of attractive spots, like a hot air balloon.
Now we have a better understanding of how to pollute the surface without using a power source. This work has wide scope for future research and development of new experiments for self-cleaning environment, said Dr Sreehari Perumanath.
This research reveals the critical limits needed to remove pollutants from the planet and opens new avenues for the use of precise computing in electronics and biosensors of the future, said Dr. Matthew Borg .
The study, published in the journal Nano Letters.
Source: University of Edinburgh
