Mechanics of Bacterial Interaction and Death on Nanopatterned Surfaces

Nanopatterned surfaces are believed to kill bacteria through physical deformation, a mechanism that has immense potential against biochemical resistance. Because of its elusive nature, this mechanism is mostly understood through biophysical modeling. Problematically, accurate descriptions of the contact mechanics and various boundary conditions involved in the bacteria-nanopattern interaction remain to be seen. This may underpin conflicting predictions, found throughout the literature, regarding two important aspects of the mechanism—that is, its critical action site and relationship with geometry. Herein, a robust computational analysis of bacteria-nanopattern interaction is performed using a three-dimensional finite element modeling that incorporates relevant continuum mechanical properties, multilayered envelope structure, and adhesion interaction conditions. The model is applied to more accurately study the elusory mechanism and its enhancement via nanopattern geometry. Additionally, micrographs of bacteria adhered on a nanopatterned cicada wing are examined to further inform and verify the major modeling predictions. Together, the results indicate that nanopatterned surfaces do not kill bacteria predominantly by rupture in between protruding pillars as previously thought. Instead, nondevelopable deformation about pillar tips is more likely to create a critical site at the pillar apex, which delivers significant in-plane strains and may locally rupture and penetrate the cell. The computational analysis also demonstrates that envelope deformation is increased by adhesion to nanopatterns with smaller pillar radii and spacing. These results further progress understanding of the mechanism of nanopatterned surfaces and help guide their design for enhanced bactericidal efficiency.