Paper VT-WeA7
Controlling Microorganisms with Bio-inspired Materials

Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 4:20 pm, Room 20

Nature was the first to create adaptive, multi-functional materials, surfaces, and interfaces. Now, the concept of borrowing ideas from Nature is one of the major drivers in the future of materials- and surface-based technology. In keeping with this trajectory, our group designs surfaces to understand and control microorganisms using bio-inspired concepts. One major application is in the control of bacterial adhesion leading to biofilm formation, which causes a wide range of problems in industry and medicine. Using a method inspired by the Nepenthes pitcher plant, which uses a thin immobilized layer of water to repel insects, we can create selective patterns of bacterial adhesion using common laboratory materials and simple bench-top surface treatments. Inspired by the vascular systems of plants and animals, we can then make these surfaces continuously self-replenishing by embedding channels within the material itself. The channels are then filled with excess liquid, which can diffuse to the surface and heal depleted or damaged areas. Finally, we are working to develop these materials on paper substrates to create low-cost, lightweight pathogen-handling materials for use in diagnostics or analytics. Through this work, we aim to develop new and versatile tools for the exploration and control of microorganisms.