Miljkovic research shows cicada wings may inspire new surface technologies
8/2/2017 Lois Yoksoulian
Researchers are looking to insects – specifically cicadas – for insight into the design of artificial surfaces with de-icing, self-cleaning and anti-fogging abilities.
Written by Lois Yoksoulian
Researchers are looking to insects – specifically cicadas – for insight into the design of artificial surfaces with de-icing, self-cleaning and anti-fogging abilities.
Their wings allow cicadas to fly, of course, but they also are good at repelling water – a condition that humans can appreciate, too.
“Our work with cicadas is letting us explore a field called bioinspiration,” said Nenad Miljkovic, a University of Illinois mechanical science and engineering professor who co-led a new study of cicada wings. “We are learning as much as we can from the natural design of cicada wings to engineer artificial objects that are useful to humans.”