部分代表性昆虫体表微纳结构及其疏水与自清洁功能的研究

昆虫的种类繁多，结构多样并具有许多优异的功能。已有的研究表明，许多昆虫的体表在疏水、自清洁、防污及抗菌方面具有十分优异的功能，而这些功能与其体表的微纳米结构及理化成分具有很大的关系。本项目拟对生活在不同生境下的部分代表性昆虫种类 [包括蝉类、蜻蜓、甲虫、蝶类、蝇类（陆生）；龙虱、水栖蝽类（水生）；蜣螂、白蚁、跳虫（土栖）]体表的微纳米结构、理化成分及其在疏水性、自清洁性、抗污性、抗菌性等方面的优异功能和机理及其潜在的应用价值开展研究，通过对形貌、理化特性和功能之间的耦合分析，揭示其优异性能的生物学、物理学及化学机理，发现并筛选出高性能的相关生物模型，并对筛选得到的生物模型进行性能模拟验证和优化，研究结果将为新一代具有超强疏水、自清洁、防污、抗菌等性能的超级材料的研发、为制造业及仿生学理论的发展及研究物种对环境的适应与演化提供科学资料。

Insects are rich in species diversity and are extremely varied in structure and function. Previous studies have shown that many insects exhibit excellent properties and functions in relation to wettability, self-cleaning, anti-contamination and anti-microbial activity and that these aspects are related to the micro- and nanostructures and chemistry on their cuticle surface. The present project is designed to significantly extend such studies with a focus on wetting, self-cleaning abilities, anti-contamination and antimicrobial function. These features will be investigated on the cuticle surfaces of a series of selected insect species living in different environments, including cicadas and planthoppers (Hemiptera), dragonflies (Odonata), butterflies (Lepidoptera) and flies (Diptera) (terrestrial), diving beetles (Coleoptera), backswimmers, water boatmen and water scorpions (Hemiptera) (aquatic), dung beetles (Coleoptera), termites (Isoptera) and springtails (Collembola) (underground). Integrative analysis of the ultramorphological structures and chemical components will be carried out to reveal the biological, chemical and physical mechanisms and potential applications of these intriguing properties and functions. Relative biological models will be established with functions tested. Results from this project will provide important information for the development of the next generation of ‘super materials’ such as superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, contamination resistant surfaces. The project will also aid in a greater understanding of the adaptations of insects with the environments.