Functional Surfaces in Biology [electronic resource] : Little Structures with Big Effects Volume 1 / edited by Stanislav N. Gorb.

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 -- Sensory Systems -- 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.

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.