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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Molecular and Topographical Organization: Influence on Cicada Wing Wettability and Bactericidal Properties

Numerous natural surfaces have micro/nanostructures that result in extraordinary functionality, such as superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning, antifogging, and antimicrobial properties. One such example is the cicada wing, where differences in nanopillar geometry and composition among species can impact and influence the degree of exhibited properties. To understand the relationships between surface topography and chemical composition with multifunctionality, the wing properties of Neotibicen pruinosus (superhydrophobic) and Magicicada cassinii (hydrophobic) cicadas are investigated at time points after microwave-assisted extraction of surface molecules to characterize the chemical contribution to nanopillar functionality. Electron microscopy of the wings throughout the extraction process illustrates nanoscale topographical changes, while concomitant changes in hydrophobicity, bacterial fouling, and bactericidal properties are also measured. Extract analysis reveals the major components of the nanostructures to be fatty acids and saturated hydrocarbons ranging from C17 to C44. Effects on the antimicrobial character of a wing surface with respect to the extracted chemicals suggest that the molecular composition of the nanopillars plays both a direct and an indirect role in concert with nanopillar geometry. The data presented not only correlates the nanopillar molecular organization to macroscale functional properties, but it also presents design guidelines to consider during the replication of natural nanostructures onto engineered substrates to induce desired properties.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Dissolvable Template Nanoimprint Lithography: A Facile and Versatile Nanoscale Replication Technique

Nanoimprinting lithography (NIL) is a next-generation nanofabrication method, capable of replicating nanostructures from original master surfaces. In this work, we develop highly scalable, simple, and nondestructive NIL using a dissolvable template. Termed dissolvable template nanoimprinting lithography (DT-NIL), our method utilizes an economic thermoplastic resin to fabricate nanoimprinting templates, which can be easily dissolved in simple organic solvents. Additionally, we used the DT-NIL method to replicate cicada wings which have surface nanofeatures of ~100 nm in height. The master, template, and replica surfaces showed a >~94% similarity based on the measured diameter and height of the nanofeatures. The versatility of DT-NIL was also demonstrated with the replication of re-entrant, multiscale, and hierarchical features on fly wings, as well as hard silicon wafer-based artificial nanostructures. The DT-NIL method can be performed under ambient conditions with inexpensive materials and equipment. Our work opens the door to opportunities for economical and high-throughput nanofabrication processes.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Frequency and Temporal Analysis of Cicada Brood X Sounds

Cicadas are insects that belong to the order Hemiptera (i.e., true bugs). They feed on plant fluids above and below ground. Cicada species fall into two categories: periodical and annual. Seven species of periodical cicadas have been identified, emerging in 13-, 17-, and 21-year cycles [1]. The largest brood (i.e., periodical cicadas of the same cycle) of 17-year cicadas is Brood X, examples of which are shown in Fig. 1. Male cicadas produce the loudest sounds of the insect world. A single male can produce a clicking sound that exceeds 100 dB sound pressure level. This male cicada sound emanates from an organ called the tympanic membrane, which is located on both sides of the body near the base of the wing [2]. The vibrations from this organ generate the sound. Female cicadas make a similar— although less loud—clicking sound with their wings. Figure 2 shows the locations of active cicadas within the United States.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗