Nanotechnology inspired by the study of butterfly wings (Biomimicry)

Hello, dear friends!

The most popular scientist of the 20th century, known for his important contributions to science, once said:

“Look deep Into nature, and then you will understand everything better”.
Albert Einstein

If the functioning of nature is the result of thousands of years of improvement and adaptation, then the scientist with his usual curiosity can find in it the most optimal and efficient solutions for human problems. It is about learning through the observation of structures and materials developed by living organisms well adapted through natural selection.

This deep study of nature has given way to a science that seeks to be inspired by it, imitating it and taking it as a model, to create optimal designs, new concepts and develop new technologies that provide solutions to our problems and is known as Biomimicry (bios = life, and mīmēsis = imitation). So, dear reader, this science imitates microorganisms, plants, and animals that have found it appropriate to function and remain on the planet over the time.

Among the projects carried out by the biomimicry are studies on the lotus leaves, the chameleon, the Geckos, the fireflies, the shark, among many other organisms. This knowledge has been applied in different areas of engineering and science, leading to the creation of lighter and more resistant structures, aerodynamic transports, sensors, neural networks, non-toxic adhesives, fabrics, paints and waterproof surfaces, among others.

This introduction to the concept of Biomimicry I find appropriate because in this publication I want to share with you the contributions that have been made in this area by observing the wings of the butterflies. Maybe you wonder why the butterflies? What motivated my interest in the subject? Well, the answer is very simple, friend reader!

A couple of days ago watering the garden, I watched a beautiful white butterfly perched on the leaves of a branch. I thought I would fly if I approached, but then I noticed that their lower wings, they were broken.

^{Anartia jatrophae butterfly (white peacock)

(Photograph taken by the author with a ZTE cell phone)}

I approached to take a photograph and while doing it several questions crossed my mind. How can they fly with broken wings? How did her wings break? Why are they so delicate? and suddenly the fragile butterfly flew away quickly.

I dedicated myself to researching the subject and found interesting things that I want to share with you my friends Steemians so that you know a little about these delicate species and the interesting contributions that the study of their wings has given to the development of nanotechnologies through Biomimicry.

I started by research what is the process that makes these specimens have such beautiful and colorful wings ?, which is known as Metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis of a Butterfly

Butterflies pass through four differentiated states during their transformation: egg, caterpillar or larva, chrysalis or pupa and finally butterfly (as indicated in the following image). This cycle can occur once or several times a year and this type of development is known as Holometabolism.

^{The life cycle of a Butterfly

(Figure elaborated by @ufv in Powerpoint)}

The cycle begins when the adult butterfly deposits its eggs in the plant from which the caterpillar will feed, adhering them with a viscous secretion. It should be mentioned, dear reader, that each species deposits its eggs with different shapes, numbers, and colors and in different ways (rows, groups, leaving them to fall or isolated).

^{Butterfly eggs - Pixabay - CC0}

The shell of the egg is called chorion and is a rigid surface that can be smooth or decorated and is made up of nutrients that will serve as first food to the caterpillar at birth.

The caterpillar is a powerful devourer of leaves and is responsible for producing silk, which comes out in liquid form and dries on contact with air and uses it to join leaves or form escape routes against predators and to create the cocoon for the Pupa.

^{Monarch butterfly caterpillar - Pixabay - CC0}

As with the eggs, friend reader, each caterpillar has shape, design and unique coloration according to their species. They deceive their enemies with colors and shapes that allow them to imitate the leaves of the trees where they are or the excrements that the birds leave in them (Mimicry).

During this stage, the caterpillar grows and changes its skin repeatedly until it reaches the time to form the pupa, in which it looks for a place to do it either by hanging by a silky peduncle produced by herself, head down (suspended), cingulate (held by a silk belt), or buried in the ground.

^{Pupa - Pixabay - CC0}

The Pupa is soft and hardens with the passage of time, usually is green or brown and at this stage, the future butterfly is at rest and immobility. Once the transformation process is completed, she breaks the pupa and is placed head down to pump hemolymph to her wings which are moist and wrinkled to extend them. After a couple of hours, the wings acquire the rigidity necessary to fly.

To better visualize this transformation process, I invite you to watch a short video below:

Now, let's focus our attention on her wings

Butterflies are very beautiful winged creatures that, like flowers, they give us their colors but among agile pirouettes in the air. Without a doubt, his wings are the most striking part of his body.

What are the wings made of?

They belong to the order of the Lepidoptera (from the Greek lepis = scale, pteron = wing) which means "scales on the wings". Then its wings are formed by small scales distributed in rows throughout the wing surface. Scales! I would never have thought about it.

^{Detail of wing of Lepidoptera showing the scales. Increase: 40x

Public domain}

These colorful insects have four wings (two upper pairs and two lower ones), connected to the strong muscles of their thorax in charge of raising and lowering them during the flight using a pattern of movement in the form of eight (depending on the size and shape of the wings and of each species). Internally they are formed by two layers of membranes, fed by a set of tubular veins distributed throughout the wing surface.

And where are the scales?

These membranes are covered by thousands of micrometric scales (measuring 70-250 microns) exclusive to the Lepidoptera and which, together with tiny hairs, give them a soft, velvety texture.

Now we know then why they are so soft and delicate!

Light wings and very flexible

These scales are composed of Chitin, a resistant and light material that is found in nature, such as fungi, exoskeletons of crustaceans, arachnids and other insects and that gives it the strength and lightness that required.

Self-cleaning wings

Between these scales, there are some microscopic slots that serve to dislodge water and dust that are deposited on the wings and that can hinder the flight of the butterfly. This self-cleaning property is given the name of "Lotus effect" in reference to Lotus leaves, which have a high water and dirt repellency for being a superhydrophobic surface.

Why the diversity of colors of the wings of the butterflies?

The colors of the wings are not only decorative They serve as camouflage (cryptic mimicry), as a warning to scare off predators by making them believe that they are toxic or of unpleasant taste (Aposematism) and to attract couples during mating.

^{Dead Leaf (Kallima inachus)

Author Quartl - Wikimedia Commons

CC BY-SA 3.0}

The dark circles (ocelli) that some species have, allow them to simulate that they are large animals and thus be able to scare away the birds.

^{Eyespot (mimicry)

Author: Alpsdake - Wikipedia Commons - CC BY-SA 3.0}

Dark colors such as brown or blue, have an efficient absorption of the sun's heat, which allows them to adjust their body temperature and to be able to fly.

These colors can be: Pigmentary or structural. Let's see what each one is.

Pigmentary color

It is produced by the accumulation of chemical substances in the cavities of the scales called melanin (for the black, gray, red, brown and yellow colors) and pterina (for the colors orange, bright red, yellow and some white).

Structural color

It depends on an optical phenomenon called Constructive Interference that causes the microstructures present in the scales to reflect certain wavelengths and cancel others, giving rise to a phenomenon called Iridescence that creates colors more intense (metallic, blue and green colors). In this type of color, the tone varies according to the angle of observation.

It is possible that in some opportunity, friend reader, you have touched the wings of a butterfly and your fingers have been impregnated with the color of its wings. Well, when you touch the wings, the tiny scales that cover them are detached and then the magical iridescent color vanishes.

Applications of the biomimicry studies of the wings of the butterflies

Scientists and experts have dedicated themselves to developing technologies imitating the structure and functioning of butterfly wings. One of the applications of biomimicry in this area is the design of screens for mobile devices that intensify the color and do not lose clarity when outdoors, as is the case with common screens (backlit). These screens do not show pigmented pixels, but are formed by tiny structures that reflect light creating a spectrum of more vivid colors (structural color). An operation similar to the scales of the wings of the butterflies.

The structural color has also found application in the development of paints, cosmetics and textiles being a cheaper and more durable alternative to traditional dyes and paints.

Studying the characteristics of the wings of the blue Morpho butterfly, a group of scientists created a material in which the color does not depend on pigments but on manometric holes that generate a unique image when light falls on them due to the interference pattern of the light waves. The colors can be adjusted by modifying the number and geometry of the holes. They created a series of sharp pillars capable of performing the manometric printing of holes where required (bills, metal, airplane parts, etc.) impossible to imitate without the nanotechnology used. At least for now!

^{Blue morpho butterfly

Pixabay CC0}

Do you remember when I told you about Chitin that has wings? Well, the cuticle of insects is a structure of Chitin formed in layers similar to wood, strong and hard but light at the same time, which is also biodegradable. The researchers developed a thin film with all the aforementioned characteristics, which is also malleable, with which they intend to replace current plastics as much as possible in the near future, collaborating with the sustentation of the planet.

In summary

Through this investigation of the wings of butterflies, we find a whole world of knowledge that has been kept in nature and that man is intelligently taking advantage of to learn from the fittest. I showed them the wonderful miracle of life through the transformation that these colorful creatures make. I mentioned only some of the developments made in the field of nanotechnology imitating the structure and composition of its wings.

My intention has been to leave a small and simple knowledge about these beautiful winged insects and that the next time you have the opportunity to enjoy their colors you know that they are not only beautiful, but they have provided a cumulus of knowledge to science.

Thank you for giving me your valuable time, I hope you enjoyed the publication as much as I did when doing it. I am in the best position for comments and suggestions.

Happy day friend reader!

References

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steemstem (73) · 6 years ago

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tsoldovieri (60) · 6 years ago (edited)

Excellent article @ufv. Congratulations!. Regards.

ufv (52) · 6 years ago (edited)

thank you friend @tsoldovieri! I apologize for the delay in answering, you already know the electrical problems that keep us away from social networks. Happy day!

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yvesoler (53) · 6 years ago

Super happy to have found this post. I am a biomimic and facilitate the biomimicry design process, and I have been looking for more discussion around biomimicry on Steemit. I am teaching this weekend, but my plan is to write more about biomimetic innovations and also questions around different organisms. Do you think there could be enough interest for a biomimicry tag? If not, what tag do you think these things should be under?

ufv (52) · 6 years ago

My apologies for the delay in responding! In the city where I live there have been serious problems with electricity and the internet that have kept me away from Steemit.
I love Biomimetics, I am fascinated by the way nature provides optimal solutions to our problems. It would be excellent to promote a label for biomimicry, I support the idea. I used technology label for this post, but I think it may not represent its true essence.
I'll follow you to be aware of your publications, thanks for your support!
Have an excellent day!

Happy to follow you, as well. Si encuentras contenidos interesantes sobre este tema, déjame saber. Or if you have topics you would like me to elaborate on, I would be happy to do that. I find that most people are using the same examples to describe biomimicry, when there are so many more. I will try to bring to light some of the great work happening in this area.

Excellent! It would be interesting to know more about the studies that are being carried out in this area and what species they imitate.

yvesoler (53) · 6 years ago (edited)

If you go to AskNature, you can search for "butterflies" and find some of the functions that are being researched for different projects. Color, flight, thermoregulation, self-cleaning... these are just some of the functions that are being investigated. Go look for yourself!

And did you see my last two posts on Biomimicry: Function Cards and episode 2 of Biomimicry Inspirations. Would love to hear what you think!