Optical biomimetics: Materials and applications

Optical biomimetics, the study of natural systems to inspire novel solutions to problems in optical technologies, has attracted growing interest. Many optical systems in nature have been refined over millions of years, offering insights into better designs or inspirations into new approaches. The editor and contributors provide key research in this area, focusing on the techniques and approaches used to characterize and mimic naturally occurring optical effects. Beginning with an overview of natural photonic structures, chapters go on to explain optical applications of biomolecules, such as retinylidene and bacteriorhodopsin, polarization effects in natural photonic structures and their applications, and biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devices. The contributors explore the control of iridescence in natural photonic structures through the case of butterfly scales, investigate silk optical materials and discuss the control of florescence in natural photonic structures.