1st Edition

Bioinspired Photonics Optical Structures and Systems Inspired by Nature

By Viktoria Greanya Copyright 2016
    416 Pages 463 Color Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Harness the Wonders of the Natural World

    As our in-depth knowledge of biological systems increases, the number of devices and applications built from these principles is rapidly growing. Bioinspired Photonics: Optical Structures and Systems Inspired by Nature provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the captivating and diverse photonic systems seen in nature and explores how we take inspiration from them to create new photonic materials and devices.

    See How Photonic Systems in Nature Work

    The book presents important examples of how combining biological inspiration with state-of-the-art nanoscience is resulting in the emergence of a field focused on developing real improvements in materials and devices. The author walks readers through examples taken from nature, delves into their characterization and performance, and describes the unique features of their performance. She interweaves this material with discussions on fabricating synthetic versions of the systems as well as specific aspects of the biological examples that researchers are leveraging in their own work.

    Replicate and Take Inspiration from These Systems for Fabrication and Application

    Suitable for a multidisciplinary audience of scientists, technologists, students, and lay people, this book covers a wide range of topics encompassed by bioinspired photonics in an easy-to-follow way. Newcomers to the field will acquire the minimum background necessary to begin exploring this fascinating subject while experts will discover state-of-the-art approaches to biomimetic and bioinspired photonic systems.

    Introduction to Bioinspired Photonic Systems
    Biological and Bioinspired Photonics
    Evolution
    Historical Perspective and the Advent of Microscopy
    Tools of the Trade
    Bioinspired Photonics in the Twenty-First Century and the Challenge of Multidisciplinary Science

    Structural Color I: Low-Dimensional Structures
    Next Generation Applications Inspired by Ancient Structures
    Sparkly, Vibrant, Bright, and Shiny—Light and Biology in Action
    Describing Biological Photonic Structures
    One-Dimensional Layered Structures
    Two-Dimensional Structures

    Structural Color II: Complex Structures
    Quasi Two-/Three-Dimensional Structures
    Three-Dimensional Structures
    Nanostructures in Black and White

    Dynamic, Adaptive Color
    Color Changing Organisms as Inspiration
    The Expanding Display Industry
    Nature’s "Unconventional" Display Technologies
    Cephalopods
    Architectures of Dynamic Biological Photonics
    Chromatophores
    Chromatophore-Inspired Structures
    Dynamic Structural Color: Iridophores and Leucophores
    Actuating Structural Color

    Vision Systems
    Inspiring Vision
    Biological Eyes: The Front-End Optics
    Photoreceptors: The Imager’s Back End
    Spectral Sensitivities 188
    Secondary Structures
    Applications

    Biomaterials for Photonics
    Chitin
    Silk
    Biosilica
    Reflectins
    Luciferins and GFP—Bioluminescence and Fluorescence
    Opsins

    Sensors
    Introduction
    Infrared Sensing
    Gas and Vapor Sensors

    Energy from Light
    Insatiable Appetite for Power and Energy
    Harvesting Solar Power
    Photosynthesis
    Photovoltaics
    Antireflective Structures
    Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
    Solar Fuels and Artificial Photosynthesis
    Hybrid Systems
    Nanoantennas

    The Future of Bioinspired Photonics: Challenges and Opportunities
    Inspiration from Natural Systems for Conventional and Unconventional Applications
    Fabrication Is Still a Challenge
    Biological Fabrication
    STEM Education and Outreach
    Importance of Multidisciplinary and Basic Research

    Index

    References appear at the end of each chapter.

    Biography

    Viktoria Greanya, PhD, is the chief of basic research in the Chemical and Biological Technologies Department at the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and a research associate professor at George Mason University. She has over a decade of experience in research and development in nanoscience (including nanotherapeutics, bioinspired photonic systems, nanostructured functional materials, and flexible photonic and electronic systems) as well as high-power and vacuum electronics, heterogeneous integration, and liquid crystals. She earned a PhD in condensed matter physics from Michigan State University.

    "… clearly well organized, well written, and insightful. It will be a wonderful source of inspiration of future bioinspired photonics."
    —Luke P. Lee, Arnold and Barbara Silverman Distinguished Professor, University of California, Berkeley

    "With examples drawn from adaptive color actuation, vision systems, functional biomaterials, sensors, and energy conversion, this book brilliantly delivers fascinating multidisciplinary applications of photonic materials, structures, devices, and systems inspired by Nature."
    —R.A. Potyrailo, Principal Scientist, GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York

    "… a thorough and engaging tour of an important emerging field that melds biology, engineering, and physics. Greanya conveys the excitement of new discoveries both in how natural systems harness the power of light, and the applications that aim to mimic it."
    —Stephanie E. Palmer, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago