Butterfly wings inspire anti-bacterial surfaces

The technology could be applied to hip and other joint replacements, cosmetic and orthodontic products, and be used in the car industry.

The team has created a series of laser-textured nano-moulds to replicate the butterfly wing pattern. When viewed under a microscope, butterfly wings exhibit a unique ‘ladder’ design that prevents bacteria from establishing colonies and spreading. 

In a statement, Dr Maria Katsikogianni, Assistant Professor in Biomaterials Chemistry at Bradford University, said: "We are examining patterns with self-cleaning properties found in nature. One of these is found on butterfly wings, which have a tight build-up of cells that resemble ladders close together.  

“These not only produce the vibrant colour patterns…but the ladder structure also prevents water from weighing down their wings. More interestingly, the structure makes it difficult for bacteria to fit themselves on top of the wings surface and produce communities.”  

Dr Katsikogianni said the team had examined several different anti-bacterial surfaces, including a gecko skin pattern, but the microscopic designs found on butterfly wings is simpler to replicate and should last longer.