Functional Surfaces in Biology, 2009 Little Structures with Big Effects Volume 1

This book is devoted to the rapidly growing area of science dealing with structure and properties of biological surfaces in their relation to particular function(s). This volume, written by a team of specialists from different disciplines, covers various surface functions such as protection, defense, water transport, anti-wetting, self cleaning, light reflection and scattering, and acoustics. Because biological surfaces have a virtually endless potential of technological ideas for the development of new materials and systems, inspirations from biology could also be interesting for a broad range of topics in surface engineering.

Introduction: Surface Properties and their Functions in Biological Systems.- Protection and Defence.- Biological Properties of Fruit and Seed Slime Envelope: How to Live, Fly, and Not Die.- Easily Damaged Integument of Some Sawflies (Hymenoptera) is Part of a Defence Strategy Against Predators.- Anti–wetting.- Water Repellence in Gecko Skin: How Do Geckos Keep Clean?.- Anti-Wetting Surfaces in Heteroptera (Insecta): Hairy Solutions to Any Problem.- Water Repellent Properties of Spiders: Topographical Variations and Functional Correlates.- Dry in the Water: The Superhydrophobic Water Fern Salvinia – a Model for Biomimetic Surfaces.- Brochosomal Coatings of the Integument of Leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae).- Transport.- Pull, Push and Evaporate: The Role of Surfaces in Plant Water Transport.- Aerodynamics.- Molding and Carving Cell Surfaces: The Joke of a Fold and the Origin and Evolution of Feathers.- Acoustics.- Surface Structure of Sound Emission Organs in Urania Moths.- SensorySystems.- Functional Coupling of Cercal Filiform Hairs and Campaniform Sensilla in Crickets.- Optics.- Advanced Photonic Systems on the Wing-Scales of Lepidoptera.- Sub-micron Structures Causing Reflection and Antireflection in Animals.- Surface Colors of Insects: Wings and Eyes.- Butterfly Photonics: Form and Function.

New subject not covered in other books to this extent Interdisciplinarity Potentially interesting to biologists Physicists, engineers Richly illustrated