This book is devoted to the rapidly growing area of science dealing with structure and properties of biological surfaces in their relation to particular function(s). This volume, written by a team of specialists from different disciplines, covers various surface functions such as protection, defense, water transport, anti-wetting, self cleaning, light reflection and scattering, and acoustics. Because biological surfaces have a virtually endless potential of technological ideas for the development of new materials and systems, inspirations from biology could also be interesting for a broad range of topics in surface engineering.
Author(s): Stanislav Gorb (auth.), Prof. Dr. Stanislav N. Gorb (eds.)
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 384
Tags: Life Sciences, general;Engineering, general;Physics, general;Plant Sciences
Front Matter....Pages I-XVIII
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Introduction: Surface Properties and their Functions in Biological Systems....Pages 3-7
Front Matter....Pages 9-9
Biological Properties of Fruit and Seed Slime Envelope: How to Live, Fly, and Not Die....Pages 11-30
Easily Damaged Integument of Some Sawflies (Hymenoptera) is Part of a Defence Strategy Against Predators....Pages 31-43
Front Matter....Pages 45-45
Water Repellence in Gecko Skin: How Do Geckos Keep Clean?....Pages 47-53
Anti-Wetting Surfaces in Heteroptera (Insecta): Hairy Solutions to Any Problem....Pages 55-76
Water Repellent Properties of Spiders: Topographical Variations and Functional Correlates....Pages 77-95
Dry in the Water: The Superhydrophobic Water Fern Salvinia – a Model for Biomimetic Surfaces....Pages 97-111
Brochosomal Coatings of the Integument of Leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)....Pages 113-137
Front Matter....Pages 139-139
Pull, Push and Evaporate: The Role of Surfaces in Plant Water Transport....Pages 141-159
Front Matter....Pages 161-161
Molding and Carving Cell Surfaces: The Joke of a Fold and the Origin and Evolution of Feathers....Pages 163-186
Front Matter....Pages 187-187
Surface Structure of Sound Emission Organs in Urania Moths....Pages 189-199
Front Matter....Pages 201-201
Functional Coupling of Cercal Filiform Hairs and Campaniform Sensilla in Crickets....Pages 203-233
Front Matter....Pages 235-235
Advanced Photonic Systems on the Wing-Scales of Lepidoptera....Pages 237-258
Sub-micron Structures Causing Reflection and Antireflection in Animals....Pages 259-284
Surface Colors of Insects: Wings and Eyes....Pages 285-306
Butterfly Photonics: Form and Function....Pages 307-336
Back Matter....Pages 337-384
