How does nature inspire innovation in engineering?
Senior Lecturer, Dr Avinash Baji, is leading research on nature-inspired antibacterial materials.
Nature-inspired materials, Dr Baji explains, are human-made materials that mimic surface microstructures found in nature, such as those on shark skin, cicada wings and rose petals.
“There is a lot we can learn from the tiny hierarchical structures on these surfaces because they contain natural antibacterial and antifouling properties, which repel bacteria.”
Dr Baji’s research focuses on wettability, or how well liquid maintains contact with a solid surface.
‘In our preliminary study, we copied hierarchical structures found on the surface of rose petals and translated them onto thin polymer films. We showed that the presence of these structures influences the wettability behaviour of the films. Next, we’ll demonstrate that the presence of these structures on polymer films also produces antibacterial properties,’ he explains.
Dr Baji hopes that his research will contribute to the creation of new synthetic antimicrobial materials for use in a range of settings.
“Nature-inspired antibacterial and antifouling materials can be used on high-contact surfaces like bedframes, door handles and tray-tables in hospitals and healthcare settings. The materials ensure these surfaces remain bacteria-free, which helps inhibit the spread of microbial infections.”
“Similarly, face masks using these antibacterial and antifouling materials could stop pathogenic microbes from attaching to them. They’re like another barrier of protection.”
