Anti-Bacterial Technology From Insect Wings

Josh Welch

A blue dragonflyInspiration for new inventions and technologies can come from all kinds of strange places, and it seems like the stranger the place is, the better the idea is. 

Since Sir Alexander Fleming identified penicillin in 1928, science has been trying to find new and better ways to fight the war against harmful bacteria. 

Most of the anti-bacterial technologies that we have previously focused on have been chemical or plant based, but now science is looking in a different direction. 

Recently scientists have discovered that dragonfly wings are covered in bacteria-killing nanopillars that literally cause the bacteria to shred themselves apart. 

Using this knowledge we can create anti-bacterial surfaces that use no chemicals and are safe for humans and the planet. 

Watch the video below to learn more and let us know what you think in the comments!