Bio-inspired textures for functional applications

Textures are abundantly exploited in nature for securing superior functionalities including adhesion, color manipulation, anti-reflection, and drag management. Over millions of years, these advanced properties are endowed to various organisms on the planet to survive and adapt in harsh environmental conditions. Texture characteristics such as feature size, shape, periodicity, aspect ratio, orientation and hierarchy are critical in nature's ‘tool-box’. Manufacturing of cutting-edge products require multi-functionalities for efficiency, durability and sustainability for improving the quality of life of growing population. This paper analyzes and discusses convergence and underlying science and engineering of well proven natural strategies of surface textures and their effective synthetic implementation in engineered products.