Approaches to mimic the metallic sheen in beetles

Torben Anker Lenau, Martin Aggerbeck, Steffen Nielsen

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

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    Abstract

    A range of different beetles exhibits brilliant colours and metallic sheen. One of the most spectacular species is the Plusiotis resplendens from Central America with gold metal appearance. The beetle shells are made from chitin and have a number of unique properties that apart from spectacular aesthetic effects include metal sheen from non-metal surfaces combined with electric and thermal insulation. The reflection mechanism has been studied by a number of authors and is well understood. Basically there are 2 different reflection principles. One is the multilayer reflector where alternating layers have high and low refractive index. The other is the Bouligand structure where birefringent chiral nanofibres are organised in spiral structures. The paper describes work done to explore different approaches to mimic these structures using polymer based materials and production methods that are suitable for more complex double curved geometry. One approach is to use alternating layers of 2 different polymers applied by dipping and another is applying cholesteric liquid crystals in paint. However, none of them can yet make the desired metal-looking free-form surfaces.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSPIE Optics & Photonics : The Biomimetics and Bioinspiration conference
    Volume7401
    PublisherSPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering
    Publication date2009
    Pages740107
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009
    EventSPIE NanoScience + Engineering 2009: Biomimetics and Bioinspiration - San Diego, United States
    Duration: 2 Aug 20096 Aug 2009
    Conference number: 7400

    Conference

    ConferenceSPIE NanoScience + Engineering 2009
    Number7400
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego
    Period02/08/200906/08/2009

    Keywords

    • cholesteric liquid crystals
    • structural colour
    • thin layer interference
    • aesthetics
    • Biomimetics
    • bouligand structure
    • beetles

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