Biomimetic functional surfaces are attracting increasing attention for their relevant technological applications. Despite these efforts, inherent limitations of microfabrication techniques prevent the replication of complex hierarchical microstructures. Using a 3D laser lithography technique, we fabricated a 3D patterned surface bioinspired to Salvinia molesta leaves. The artificial hairs, with crownlike heads, were reproduced by scaling down (ca. 100 times smaller) the dimensions of natural features, so that microscale hairs with submicrometric resolution were attained. The micropatterned surface, in analogy with the natural model, shows interesting properties in terms of hydrophobicity and air retention when submerged by water, even if realized with a hydrophilic material. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrated the capability to promote localized condensation of water droplets from moisture in the atmosphere.

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Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technology was used to build a high-sensitivity enzyme-based biosensor for medical purposes. Recombinant fungal laccase from Rigidoporous lignosus, as previously described, was used to catalyze a widely used antidepressant in a micromolar range, namely, clomipramine. The topological properties of the laccase thin film were characterized via LB π-A isotherm and AFM (mean roughness 8.22 nm, compressibility coefficient 37.5 m/N). The sensitivity of the biosensor was investigated via UV spectroscopy, and linearity was found in the absorbance peak shift at 400 nm at drug concentration varying up to 20 uM. The enzyme kinetics was subsequently investigated with potentiometric and amperometric measurements, and we found electronic transfer of at least 1 electron, k(s) 0.57 s(-1), diffusion coefficient 3 × 10(-6) cm(2)/s, K(cat) 6825.92 min(-1), K(M) 4.1 uM, K(cat)/K(M) 2.8 × 10(7) mol(-1) s(-1), sensitivity of 440 nA/uM, maximum velocity 1706.48 nA/s, and response time less than 5 s. The amperometric and potentiometric measurements were repeated after a month, confirming the stability of the biosensor.