Biologically inspired LED lens from cuticular nanostructures of firefly lantern.

ABSTRACT: Cuticular nanostructures found in insects effectively manage light for light polarization, structural color, or optical index matching within an ultrathin natural scale. These nanostructures are mainly dedicated to manage incoming light and recently inspired many imaging and display applications. A bioluminescent organ, such as a firefly lantern, helps to out-couple light from the body in a highly efficient fashion for delivering strong optical signals in sexual communication. However, the cuticular nanostructures, except the light-producing reactions, have not been well investigated for physical principles and engineering biomimetics. Here we report a unique observation of high-transmission nanostructures on a firefly lantern and its biological inspiration for highly efficient LED illumin

SUBMITTER: Kim JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3503230 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature