Wednesday, 1st November 2006 (4547 views)

Insect wings could help provide inspiration for gold nanotechnology, according to researchers at Peking University.

Jin Zhang and Zhongfan Liu have observed that insect wings possess sufficient rigidity, chemical stability and surface tension meaning that do not stick to the substrate and can be released without damaging imprinted surfaces – making it an ideal structure for high-tech stamps or moulds.

The insect wings also have a unique waxy coating and therefore could help to develop the use of nanotechnology, especially within the silicon chip sector.

The research, published in the latest issue of the journal Small, could provide a further understanding of how the use of microscopic gold pillars in a wide range of applications including optical imaging or the detection of molecules such as cancer cells.

Mr Zhang explained: "This technique is a powerful demonstration of how natural nanostructures existing in the environment can be used to pattern microscopic structures not easily accessible by conventional microfabrication technology."

He added: "There is a lot that nature can teach us about nanotechnology."

 

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