Antireflective nanocoatings for UV-sensation: the case of predatory owlfly insects

J Nanobiotechnology. 2017 Jul 14;15(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12951-017-0287-0.

Abstract

Moth-eye nanostructures, discovered to coat corneae of certain nocturnal insects, have inspired numerous technological applications to reduce light reflectance from solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and optical detectors. Technological developments require such nanocoatings to possess broadband antireflective properties, transcending the visual light spectrum, in which animals typically operate. Here we describe the corneal nanostructures of the visual organ exclusive in UV sensation of the hunting insect Libelloides macaronius and report their supreme anti-light-reflectance capacity.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropods / chemistry
  • Arthropods / physiology
  • Arthropods / ultrastructure*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetics
  • Compound Eye, Arthropod / chemistry
  • Compound Eye, Arthropod / physiology
  • Compound Eye, Arthropod / ultrastructure*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Predatory Behavior*
  • Surface Properties
  • Ultraviolet Rays