Optical Biomimetics

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).

• Contributor contact detailsWoodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical MaterialsintroductionChapter 1: Natural photonic structures: an overviewAbstract:1.1 Introduction1.2 Photonic structures found in nature1.3 Examples of optical biomimetic devices1.4 Biomimetic approaches to fabrication of optical devices1.5 Conclusion1.6 AcknowledgementsChapter 2: Optical applications of biomoleculesAbstract:2.1 Introduction: biomimetics and biotechnology2.2 Retinylidene proteins for optical devices2.3 Applications of bacteriorhodopsin2.4 Enhancing bacteriorhodopsin for device applications2.5 Conclusions and future trends2.6 AcknowledgementsChapter 3: Polarisation effects in natural photonic structures and their applicationsAbstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Principles of polarisation3.3 Experimental techniques to study polarisation3.4 Polarisation structures in insects3.5 Bio-inspired applications: anti-counterfeiting patterns3.6 ConclusionChapter 4: Biomimetic nanostructures for anti-reflection (AR) devicesAbstract:4.1 Introduction4.2 Anti-reflection (AR)4.3 Gradient refractive index structures4.4 Biomimetic photonic and anti-reflecting nanostructures4.5 Future trends and conclusions4.6 Acknowledgements4.8 Appendix: glossary of termsChapter 5: Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures: the case of butterfly scalesAbstract:5.1 Introduction to structural colour5.2 Types of structural colour in butterflies5.3 Control of iridescence5.4 Perspectives on butterfly biomimeticsChapter 6: Fabrication of nanostructures using natural synthesis: optical materials using silkAbstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Silk optics and photonics6.3 Silk electronics and optoelectronics6.4 ConclusionChapter 7: Fluorescence control in natural green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based photonic structures of reef coralsAbstract:7.1 Introduction7.2 Green fluorescent protein (GFP) structure and diversity7.3 Photoactive fluorescent proteins (PAFPs)7.4 ConclusionIndex