00:00 [MUSIC]
00:03 The wings of these insects, cicadas, are capable of self-cleaning.
00:07 That is to say, they can kill and remove any bacteria that comes into contact with them.
00:11 But how?
00:12 Well, they are covered in what can only be described as millions of microscopic flat-tipped spikes.
00:17 And now experts say they are getting closer to understanding how they work.
00:20 And it could be a boon for medical science.
00:23 Researchers developed a material that has a very similar shape to the microstructures found on cicada wings.
00:28 Finding that when they recreated the surface structures that were 10 nanometers tall, 50 nanometers wide, and 70 nanometers apart,
00:35 not only would E. coli bacteria die on contact, but the dead bacteria was shed from the structures, leaving no trace.
00:41 With the researchers saying about it, quote,
00:43 "It's known that sometimes when bacteria cells die and they absorb onto surfaces, their debris will stay on the surface
00:49 and therefore make it a better environment for their brethren to come in and absorb on top of them."
00:53 They say this is a huge advancement as this is the primary way a lot of biomedical materials fail.
00:58 Because there's nothing that addresses debris.
01:00 It's left behind and harbors more bacteria.
01:02 The tiny pillars work to destroy bacteria because the cells attempt to attach to the surface.
01:07 However, the pillar width and depth target the bacteria's membrane, causing it to rupture.
01:11 After it ruptures, the texture of the surface continues to pull at the membrane until tension builds and the bacteria detaches.
01:18 [music]
