Project 2

Bio-Inspired Surfaces: Fabrication of Antibacterial Surfaces with Cicada-Wing-Inspired Nanopillar Cone Arrays Using Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD)

(Prof. Kevin Walsh and Dr. Chuang Qu, ECE)

Nanostructures can be wildly found in the nature, and we are always inspired by the properties and functions of the natural nanostructures.  This research project focuses on the unique antibacterial behavior found on the cicada wings (see figure).  The cicada wing surface is composed of a dense array of nanopillar cone features (see the inset figure). These appropriately designed and appropriately spaced nanopillars puncture bio cells falling on them and keep the surface bacterial free.  However, it is extremely challenging to synthesize those periodic three-dimensional (3D) nanopillar cone structures by traditional nanofabrication techniques such as electron-beam lithography.  GLancing Angle Deposition (GLAD), on the other hand, is an advanced bottom-up nanofabrication approach.  It is suitable for creating various 3D nanostructures such as nanopillars, nanosprings and nanoribbons, and can be used for recreating the cicada wing nanostructures.

In this project, the student will get hands-on experience in the UofL cleanroom.  The student is expected to 1) get familiar with the theory, design and fabrication process of GLAD; 2) produce and scale up the replica of the nanopillar cone structures; 3) test the properties of the synthetic cicada wing mimicries, such as hydrophobicity and antibacterial behavior.