Mass production of bio-inspired structured surfaces

Bio-inspired surface structures offer significant commercial potential for the creation of antireflective, self-cleaning and drag reducing surfaces, as well as new types of adhesive systems. The current article explores how the current understanding of the basic science of the biological structures occurring on the surface of moth eyes, leaves, sharkskin, and the feet of reptiles can be transferred to functional man-made materials, some of the drawbacks of which are shown to offer a long-term challenge to engineers. Explored also is the related topic of how such surfaces can be mass-produced, encompassing the important areas of current surface replication techniques and the associated acquisition of good master structures.