Mimicking Insect Wings: The Roadmap to Bioinspiration

Insect wings possess unique, multifaceted properties that have drawn increasing attention in recent times. They serve as an inspiration for engineering of materials with exquisite properties. The structure function relationships of insect wings are yet to be documented in detail. In this review, we present a detailed understanding of the multifunctional properties of insect wings, including micro and nanoscale architecture, material properties, aerodynamics, sensory perception, wettability, optics, and antibacterial activity, as investigated by biologists, physicists, and engineers. Several established modeling strategies and fabrication methods are reviewed to engender novel ideas for biomimetics in diverse areas.