23 November 2009
Butterfly wings to enable new technologies
Using their understanding of how butterfly wing surfaces control light to produce iridescence, researchers from QinetiQ and the University of Exeter are set to develop devices that control infrared, microwave or radio frequency radiation.
"Butterfly wings create a myriad of visual effects through subtle changes in the size, shape or structure of fine scales on their surface," said Dr Andrew Treen, QinetiQ's entrepreneur within the project. "By understanding the underlying optical properties, we can develop and apply the principles to commercial applications in the infrared, microwave and radio wave segments of the spectrum and develop solutions that will help society. The natural world still holds many secrets but this project will hopefully unlock a few more of them."
The three year £3.2million project is funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's Knowledge Transfer Accounts.
Author
Graham Pitcher
Supporting Information
Websites
http://www.exeter.ac.uk
http://www.qinetiq.com
Companies
QinetiQ
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