The Microbial Consequences of Stepping.

Bacterial cell walls are very strong and it would take nearly 1,500 to 1,900 pounds per square inch to make them explode. Bacteria are also incredibly small, so most of them will slide into the grooves on the surface of your skin or shoes and escape the full pressure of being stepped on. Cicada wings have tiny needle-like structures called nanorods that puncture bacteria and kill them, inspiring bioengineers to create surfaces with similar structures.