Bioinspired Photonics

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.

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.

Introduction to Bioinspired Photonic Systems. Structural Color I: Low-Dimensional Structures. Structural Color II: Complex Structures. Dynamic, Adaptive Color. Vision Systems. Biomaterials for Photonics. Sensors. Energy from Light. The Future of Bioinspired Photonics: Challenges and Opportunities. Index.