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Biomimetics of photonic nanostructures

Nature Nanotechnology volume 2, pages 347–353 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Biomimetics is the extraction of good design from nature. One approach to optical biomimetics focuses on the use of conventional engineering methods to make direct analogues of the reflectors and anti-reflectors found in nature. However, recent collaborations between biologists, physicists, engineers, chemists and materials scientists have ventured beyond experiments that merely mimic what happens in nature, leading to a thriving new area of research involving biomimetics through cell culture. In this new approach, the nanoengineering efficiency of living cells is harnessed and natural organisms such as diatoms and viruses are used to make nanostructures that could have commercial applications.

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Figure 1: Natural and fabricated anti-reflective surfaces.
Figure 2: Replicating the iridescent cuticle of a beetle.
Figure 3: The iridescent wings of a Morpho butterfly.
Figure 4: The periodic structures found in the walls of some diatoms could have useful optical properties for applications.
Figure 5: Made-to-measure structures in cell walls.
Figure 6: The basic elements of cell engineering.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Royal Society (University Research Fellowship), the Australian Research Council, Framework 6 of the European Union, and RCUK (Basic Technology Grant).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

    Andrew R. Parker

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

    Andrew R. Parker

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK

    Helen E. Townley

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Parker, A., Townley, H. Biomimetics of photonic nanostructures. Nature Nanotech 2, 347–353 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2007.152

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