Fruit fly eye study provides glimpse into future textile applications

Category: DYES AND CHEMICALS

Country: Russia

Scientists replicated the self-cleaning, anti-reflective nanocoating found in the insect's eyes.

Vladivostok, Russia – Russian and Swiss scientists have learned how to replicate a nanocoating with antimicrobial, anti-reflective and self-cleaning properties — based on the structures covering the corneas of fruit fly eyes — that could find applications in the textile industry.

Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University here teamed with colleagues from the University of Geneva, the University of Lausanne and Zurich’s Swiss Federal Institute of Technology on the project, which artificially reproduced the nanocoating designed to protect fruit fly eyes from dust particles and shut off light reflection.

The discovery, according to Vladimir Katanaev, head of research and head of the Laboratory of Pharmacology of Natural Compounds in the School of Biomedicine at FEFU, has broad applications, including for textiles. “It could be the structural dyeing of textiles that would change the color depending on the angle of view,” he said. “It is possible to create a disguise coat based on metamaterials, an antibacterial layer for medical implants, and a self-cleaning coating for contact lenses and windshields. We also believe that if we reinforce the nanocoating, it might be utilized as a basis of flexible miniature transistors prototypes designed for modern electronics.”

The scientists rebuilt the corneal coating of small fruit flies using direct and reverse bioengineering methods.

The report of this discovery first appeared in the journal Nature.

As appeared in Home Textiles Today October 22, 2020, covering the home and textiles markets, offering a comprehensive package of print and online products. Home Textiles Today provides industry news, product trends and introductions, exclusive industry research, consumer data, store operations solutions, trade show news and much more.

Source:
Home Textiles Today Staff //News & Commentary
Home Textiles Today is the market-leading brand covering the home and textiles markets, offering a comprehensive package of print and online products. Home Textiles Today provides industry news, product trends and introductions, exclusive industry research, consumer data, store operations solutions, trade show news and much more.