Engineered biomimicry: Polymeric replication of surface features found on insects

Drew P. Pulsifer, Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Raúl J. Martín-Palma, Carlo G. Pantano

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

By combining the modified conformal-evaporated-film-by-rotation (M-CEFR) technique with nickel electroforming, we have produced master negatives of nonplanar biotemplates. An approximately 250-nm-thick conformal coating of nanocrystaline nickel is deposited on a surface structure of interest found in class Insecta, and the coating is then reinforced with a roughly 60-μm-thick structural layer of nickel by electroforming. This structural layer endows the M-CEFR coating with the mechanical robustness necessary for casting or stamping multiple polymer replicas of the biotemplate. We have made master negatives of blowfly corneas, beetle elytrons, and butterfly wings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationBioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
EventBioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 7 2011Mar 9 2011

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7975
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherBioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period3/7/113/9/11

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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