Cicada: The Original Self-Cleaning SurfaceHow an insect's wing inspired a new kind of technology.

From the show

Nature Solved It First

Cicada wings hold the blueprint for a multi-functional material. Their surfaces are covered in microscopic cones that physically destroy bacteria on contact, creating a chemical-free sterilization method. These same structures also make the wing anti-reflective and water-repellent. Researchers are now mimicking this natural design to create self-cleaning, antibacterial coatings for everything from medical devices to solar panels.