Scalable manufacturing of multifunctional insect wing membrane via interfacial lase-and-peel strategy

Insect wings have unique, irregular nanopillars with multifaceted properties. One of the great challenges in broader applications of insect wing-inspired surfaces is to mass-produce insect-wing nanoarchitectures (IWNs) on ultrathin and durable substrates that can be integrated onto any planar/nonplanar surfaces. This study presents a simple method for producing IWNs on ultrathin polyimide (PI) films. An ultraviolet laser irradiates the PI-glass interface, generating gas that induces the nucleation, growth, and coalescence of nanobubbles, leading to the formation of nanopillars at the interface. Mechanical peeling then delaminates the PI film from glass along the middle of these nanopillars, creating IWNs on both PI film and glass. The artificial wing membrane (thickness < 500 nanometers) closely mimics natural dragonfly wings and can be seamlessly integrated onto contact lenses, demonstrating enhanced optical and bactericidal capabilities. This approach offers exceptional dimensional compatibility and high-throughput, potentially addressing scalability limitations that hinder broader applications of insect wing-inspired superfunctional surfaces.