Journal article
Molecular Organization of the Nanoscale Surface Structures of the Dragonfly Hemianax papuensis Wing Epicuticle
EP Ivanova, SH Nguyen, HK Webb, J Hasan, VK Truong, RN Lamb, X Duan, MJ Tobin, PJ Mahon, RJ Crawford
Plos One | PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE | Published : 2013
Abstract
The molecular organization of the epicuticle (the outermost layer) of insect wings is vital in the formation of the nanoscale surface patterns that are responsible for bestowing remarkable functional properties. Using a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, including Synchrotron-sourced Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), we have identified the chemical components that constitute the nanoscale structures on the surface of the wings of the dragonfly, Hemianax papuensis. The major components were identified to be fatty acids, predominantly hexadecanoic..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
This research was funded in part by the Advanced Manufacturing Co-operative Research Centre (AMCRC). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. No additional external funding was received for this study.