Nanotech scientists design ingenious camouflage based on insect’s bizarre soccer ball-like excrement

Nanotech scientists design ingenious camouflage based on insect’s bizarre soccer ball-like excrement

Written by Ivan Amato Edited by Gary Stix

In the early 1950s, biologists at Brooklyn College used electron microscopy to discover that leafhoppers, a common insect the size of a grain of rice and named for one of its characteristic behaviors, are responsible for virus transmission. They were pursuing clues that it could be an intermediary. During their research, scientists happened to observe the following: in their words“certain ultrafine objects not previously described” in leafhopper wings. In a memo from 1953, in Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological SocietyThey named these tiny, spherical, jack-like structures “brocosomes,” after the Greek word for “web.”

Since then, a slim but determined lineage of scientists and engineers has built a superspecialty around brocosomes. These researchers have made these sub-pinpoints of highly structured materials possible due to the biological wonders they embody and the technological possibilities suggested by their elaborate porous shapes and physical properties. I’m attracted to Brocosome enthusiasts do not hesitate to share their joy at discovering such a masterpiece of evolution.

“Our group first became interested in brocosomes around 2015, attracted by their nanoscale dimensions and complex three-dimensional buckyball-like geometry,” he says. Thaksin Wonga biomedical and mechanical engineer at Pennsylvania State University. “We were surprised at how leafhoppers can consistently produce such complex structures at the nanoscale, especially using our state-of-the-art micro- and nanofabrication techniques. , given that we still struggle to achieve such uniformity and scalability.”

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Like others interested in these structures, Wong has parlayed his envy into brocosomes into a curious technology based on brocosomes’ ability to absorb a specific range of visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. We are working towards creating a cabinet that collects the following. Wong, along with partners at Pennsylvania State University and Carnegie Mellon University, has two patents in the United States and other patents pending for processes to produce synthetic equivalents of brocosomes.

Wong said the synthetic brocosomes can be used for applications such as anti-reflective and camouflage materials, anti-counterfeiting, data encryption, and “optical security” tactics that make hidden information visible only when illuminated with infrared or ultraviolet light. It states that it is potentially suitable for a variety of applications. light. The researchers Grant from Office of Naval Researchis constantly seeking ways to make it harder for adversaries to locate and track naval vessels, aircraft, and other U.S. military assets.

Much of the recent research and development taking place around the world is inspired by brocosomes. A super anti-reflective upgrade that adds nature-made brocosomes to the body of a leafhopper.. This isn’t just cool optical physics. This trick of light allows insects to sneak up on the surface of leaves where hungry insects, birds, and spiders forage for prey.

Several forays into brocosome biology have shown that these natural nanoscale innovations have shown that proteins assemble into stealth-forming nanospheres within specialized compartments of insect Malpighian tubules, kidney-like excretory organs. It turns out that it is composed of lipids. With its hind legs, the insect grooms its entire tiny body with microdroplets filled with brocosomes from its anus, resulting in a light-absorbing mantle that helps it live another day.

But nanospheres are suitable for more than just concealment. In the latest addition to a growing list of concepts and prototypes for brocosome-inspired technology, Wong’s team at Penn State joins researchers at Carnegie Mellon University led by mechanical engineers. Shen Shenaims to provide new materials not only for camouflage, but also for new security and encryption devices. technology Taking advantage of the fact that humans cannot perceive infrared light.

As the researchers measured optical and other physical aspects of the synthetic brocosomes, they found that “while these structures appeared identical under visible light, they showed dramatic contrasts in infrared images.” Mr. Shen said that he noticed that. And that gave rise to the idea of ​​encryption and security techniques, which researchers are now pursuing. The research team is considering whether it is possible to encode infrared information invisibly within the visible spectrum. Small dots of such infrared-active brocosome material on currency can act as a sign of authenticity and pose an additional hurdle for would-be counterfeiters.

Researchers investigated Six ways to produce synthetic brocosomes Various sizes and shapes. The use of various polymer, ceramic and metal materials makes TechnoCuriosity’s brocosome-inspired cabinets increasingly eye-catching.

A team of Chinese researchers who are fans of brocosomes recently reported a process for creating a vibrant spectrum of color-giving particles by filling small depressions (‘nanobowl’ spaces) on silver brocosome structures with tiny polystyrene spheres. did. When the researchers tuned the size of the spheres using a precision etching method, they were able to fine-tune the electromagnetic interactions between them, thereby fine-tuning the apparent color of the synthetic brocosome structures. . in ACS nano paper The researchers developed a color-making strategy that they suggested opens the door to producing longer-lasting and more stable colors compared to short-lived chemical dyes and pigments.

Another Chinese research group has attempted to imitate the masters of disguise in chameleons, cephalopods, and other creatures. Tungsten oxide-based brocosome structure When stimulated electrically, the reflex is reduced. One endpoint of this effort could be energy-saving applications, windows that can control the amount of solar and thermal energy that passes through throughout the day.

A more extensive and eclectic to-do list includes: condensing electrode It can generate and corral energized electrons to make hydrogen fuel, self cleaning surface May repel liquids and adhesives. The list also includes possible sensors such as: Tailored for detection of specific bacteria or proteins For environmental monitoring and health applications. Additionally, brocosome-inspired particle pores and surfaces may be possible. customized to carry specific drugs to the target tissue.

Although the potential seems great, the prospect of an era of brocosome-inspired technology is not imminent. “One of the major bottlenecks to the widespread use of synthetic brocosomes is the lack of scalable manufacturing techniques. The complex 3D shape and nanoscale dimensions of synthetic brocosomes remain difficult to replicate at large scale. Because there is,” warns Wong.

Regardless of whether his particular brocosome-inspired technology makes it to the finish line, Wong says he loves sharing his research with his non-scientist family and friends. “They are immediately fascinated by the beauty of the brocosome’s soccer-ball-like structure,” he says. “When I explain that this structure is about one-hundredth the diameter of a human hair, they can hardly believe it.”

Meanwhile, Shen welcomes the humbling side of this research romance with brocosomes. “This is a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t necessarily have to come from human ingenuity,” he says. “Sometimes nature has already solved the problem we are working on.”