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Synthetic brochosomes: design, synthesis, and applications

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Abstract

Brochosomes, which are nanoscopic buckyball-shaped granules produced by leafhoppers, are one of the most intricate structures discovered in nature. Various functions of brochosomes have been proposed but only a few have been experimentally validated due to the challenge of fabricating their synthetic counterparts. Advancements in micro- and nanofabrication have recently led to the emergence of synthetic brochosomes, opening up new possibilities for innovative applications. This review explores the early discovery of natural brochosomes and their geometrical features, followed by the recent progress in fabricating synthetic brochosomes and their applications. Perspectives on future applications and challenges in the scalable manufacturing of synthetic brochosomes are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research Award (Nos. N00014-20-1-2095 and N00014-23-1-2173, Program manager: Dr. Kristy L. Hentchel).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Lin Wang, Jinsol Choi & Tak-Sing Wong

  2. Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Lin Wang, Jinsol Choi & Tak-Sing Wong

  3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Tak-Sing Wong

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  1. Lin Wang
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Wang, L., Choi, J. & Wong, TS. Synthetic brochosomes: design, synthesis, and applications. Nano Res. 17, 734–742 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-023-6362-y

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