In a new research paper entitled “Angle-multiplexed optical printing of biomimetic hierarchical 3D textures,” a team of scientists from China’s Jilin University studied patterns in nature to create 3D printed textured polymer surfaces that combine different mechanical, structural and optical properties.
“Materials in nature especially bio-materials have hierarchial and fractal structures on different geometrical scale which we have to replicate and possibly to surpass in functionality by modern 3D fabrication,” the researchers explain. “…Many functions and properties in nature are result of hierarchical ordering of micro/nanoscale structures and patterns by arranging simpler structures: the self-cleaning surface of lotus leaf, the reduced drag and hydrodynamics surface of a shark skin, the anisotropic wetting surface of a rice leaf, the highly adhesive, superhydrophobic and surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate of a rose petal, the water repellent legs of a water strider, the anti-fogging compound eyes of mosquito and fly, a reversible adhesion of a gecko’s foot, and structural colors of moths, butterflies and bird feathers, bactericidal action of cicada wing are examples that have been the source of motivation to follow the nature’s rule of hierarchy for applications.”
“Based on sequence of exposures, orientation angle of the sample and period of interference pattern, a variety of multiscale surfaces with geometrically symmetrical structures has been…produced,” the researchers state.
The 3D printed hierarchical structures mimicked several phenomena found in nature, including hydrophobicity, iridescence, directionality of reflectivity, and polarization at different colors. While the technology may sound baffling to those outside of the nanotechnology field, the potential real-world applications are many. The research team names everything from microfluidics and antifouling to jewelry and decorative/holographic elements as areas that could benefit from biomimetic fabrication, as well as micro/nano-optics, polarizing filters and even bactericidal surfaces.
Authors on the study include Muhammad Irfan Abid, Lei Wang, Qi-Dai Chen, Xue-Wen Wang, Saulius Juodkazis, and Hong-Bo Sun. You can access the full paper here. Discuss in the Jilin University forum at 3DPB.com.