From Nature to Nanotech
Biomimicry
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Blue Morpho Butterfly
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Iridescence
What is iridescence?
– Colors change depending on the
angle at which you look at the
surface
• Different thicknesses, like with bubbles,
can create iridescence.
• Nano and micro features, as in the blue
Morpho butterfly, also cause iridescence.
Close-up of peacock feather
What does iridescence do in nature?
– Attract mates or pollinators
– Camouflage
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The iridescence in Blue Bedder
flowers attracts pollinators
Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing
Scanning Electron Microscope image of the Blue Morpho butterfly showing repeating
nanoscale features responsible for iridescence.
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Biomimicry of Iridescence
Biomimicry of iridescence is used for security on currency and credit cards.
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Biomimicry of Iridescence
Qualcomm has a new e-screen that mimics the iridescence of the blue
Morpho butterfly. The screen gets brighter in sunlight.
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The Lotus Effect
Lotus leaves and nasturtium
leaves are self-cleaning due
to nano and microscale
structures and a waxy
coating.
Together these features
create a superhydrophobic
surface.
Close-up of a nasturtium leaf, which exhibits the
Lotus Effect, with a droplet of water
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The Lotus Effect
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Biomimicry of the Lotus Effect
Lotusan paint mimics the lotus plant’s self-cleaning properties.
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Nano-Tex fabric
repels liquids and
stains, also mimicking
the Lotus Effect.
Nature’s inspiration
Biomimicry
Burrs
Velcro
Sharkskin
Fast Swimsuit
http://www.itsnature.org
Termite Dens
Getty Images courtesy of Speedo
Self-cooling Buildings
Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe