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Optical biomimetics: Materials and applications

Edited by M Large, University of Sydney, Australia

Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials No. 48

 - reviews key research in optical biomimetics, focusing on the techniques and approaches used to characterise and mimic naturally-occurring optical effects
 - discusses optical applications of biomolecules, such as retinylidene and bacteriorhodopsin
 - explores the control of iridescence in natural photonic structures through the case of butterfly scales

Optical biomimetics, the study of natural systems to inspire novel solutions to problems in optical technologies, has attracted growing interest. Optical biomimetics reviews key research in this area, focusing on the techniques and approaches used to characterise and mimic naturally occurring optical effects.

Beginning with an overview of natural photonic structures, Optical biomimetics goes on to discuss optical applications of biomolecules, such as retinylidene and bacteriorhodopsin, polarisation effects in natural photonic structures and their applications, and biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devices. Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures is explored through the case of butterfly scales, alongside a consideration of nanostructure fabrication using natural synthesis. The investigation into silk optical materials is followed by a final discussion of the control of florescence in natural photonic structures.

With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Optical biomimetics is a valuable guide for scientists and engineers in both academia and industry who are already studying biomimetics, and a fascinating introduction for those who wish to move into this interesting new field.

ISBN 1 84569 802 9
ISBN-13: 978 1 84569 802 7
September 2012
272 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£135.00 / US$230.00 / €160.00

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About the editor

Dr Maryanne Large is a physicist with extensive experience in optics and optical materials. She has a particular interest in optical microstructures, and has studied them in butterflies, and used them in microstructured optical fibres. She is currently a research Manager at CiSRA (Canon Information Systems Research Australia) and a member of staff at the University of Sydney’s Institute of Photonics and Optical Sciences (IPOS).

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Contents

Natural photonic structures: an overview
A Parker, Natural History Museum – London, UK
 - Introduction
 - Photonic structures found in nature
 - Examples of optical biomimetic devices
 - Biomimetic approaches to fabrication of optical devices
 - Conclusion
 - Acknowledgments
 - References

Optical applications of biomolecules
M J Ranaghan, N L Wagner, M N Sandberg and R R Birge, University of Connecticut, USA
 - Introduction: biomimetics and biotechnology
 - Retinylidene proteins for optical devices
 - Applications of bacteriorhodopsin
 - Enhancing bacteriorhodopsin for device applications
 - Conclusions and future trends
 - Acknowledgments
 - References

Polarisation effects in natural photonic structures and their applications
S Berthier, Université Paris Diderot, France and Facultés Universitaires Notre Dame de la Paix, Belgium
 - Introduction
 - Principles of polarization
 - Experimental techniques to study polarization
 - Polarization structures in insects
 - Bio-inspired applications: anti-counterfeiting patterns
 - Conclusion
 - References

Biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devices
S Chattopadhyay, National Yang Ming University, Taiwan; Y-F Huang, National Yang Ming University, Taiwan; K-H Chen, Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Taiwan and L-C Chen, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
 - Introduction
 - Anti-reflection (AR)
 - Gradient refractive index structures
 - Biomimetic photonic and antireflecting nanostructures
 - Future trends and conclusions
 - Acknowledgements
 - References
 - Appendix: glossary of terms

Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures: the case of butterfly scales
S Wickham, L Poladian and M Large, University of Sydney, Australia; and P Vukusic, Exeter University, UK
 - Introduction to structural colour
 - Types of structural colour in butterflies
 - Control of iridescence
 - Perspectives on butterfly biomimetics
 - References

Fabrication of nanostructures using natural synthesis: optical materials using silk
H Tao, D L Kaplan and F G Omenetto, Tufts University, USA
 - Introduction
 - Silk optics and photonics
 - Silk electronics and optoelectronics
 - Conclusion
 - References

Fluorescence control in natural green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based photonic structures of reef corals
A Salih, University of Western Sydney, Australia
 - Introduction
 - Green fluorescent protein (GFP) structure and diversity
 - Photoactive fluorescent proteins (PAFPs)
 - Future trends: electron transport, proton pumping and optogenetics
 - Conclusion
 - References