Dragonfly wing inspired RMIT scientists to create antibacterial surfaces

After discovering bacteria-killing properties of the wings of insects such as cicadas and dragonflies, scientists of the RMIT University in Melbourne have developed a special antibacterial texture for use on food packaging and other surfaces. We spoke with RMIT Distinguished Professor Elena Ivanova, who led the international team of researchers.

Distinguished Professor Elena Ivanova of RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia Source: RMIT/Daniel Oh Photography

The nanopillars on the surface of a dragonfly wing (magnified 20,000 times). Source: RMIT University

Multifunctional Mechano-biocidal Materials Research Group: Denver Linklater, Phuc Le, Elena Ivanova, Arturo Aburto-Medina, Karolline De Sousa Source: RMIT University