Bioinspired Fabrication of Periodically Organized Photonic Structures

ID: MPS/DMR/BMAT(7623) 1005382 PI: Bartl， Michael ORG: University of uth标题：周期性组织光子结构的生物启发制造知识优点：在许多昆虫的彩色结构中，颜色是通过光与周期性有序的低折射率和高折射率结构结合到昆虫外骨骼中的相互作用产生的光干涉产生的。这种结构颜色最近被用作光子晶体，在下一代能源和信息技术应用中具有潜在的影响。虽然目前可见光波长的光子工程能力相当有限，但生物系统已经进化到可以创造最复杂的光子结构，这些结构仍然远远超出了我们的合成能力。提出的研究方向是这些生物结构，重点是获得对生物系统的光子结构形成/组装机制的详细见解，并为制造用于光子应用的新型三维有序介电材料开发仿生路线。PI将对彩虹甲虫的光子结构进行高分辨率的结构研究，以揭示精确的晶体晶格及其组装环境。根据这些结果，他将开展仿生结构形成实验，从溶液组成、表面活性剂类型分子的存在以及组装/相分离机制（成核和生长vs. spinodal分解）等方面研究生物聚合物化合物的组装化学和物理。他还将把这些生物聚合物形成的研究与空间约束效应结合起来。目标是通过制造微室和研究生物聚合物结构在这些密闭空间中的组装来模拟许多甲虫（外骨骼鳞片）的三维受限组装室。希望通过这些研究，不仅可以对生物学中结构颜色的迷人变化获得有价值的见解，而且还可以为先进光学和光电子应用的复杂生物启发光子材料开发新的合成方法。更广泛的影响：拟议活动的中心任务是在几个层面上整合研究和教育工作。通过与当地一所高中的合作，我们将通过“采用班级”的方式进行整合，我们将让学生参与并指导他们参与与纳米材料、光和能源相关的科学项目。这将通过每年几次的互访和电子邮件/互联网“科学热线”来实现。预计这些项目的发现和结果将在犹他州科学日公开展示，并在犹他州自然历史博物馆以临时装置的形式展示。在本科阶段，整合将通过在PI的本科实验课程中设置一个“特殊”实验（除了典型的“设计”教学实验）来实现，在这个实验中，学生将与PI的研究生一起进行“真实世界”的研究。在研究生阶段，被选中的新学生将接受本提案跨学科方面的专门培训，包括PI培训。s光学光谱实验室设施和其他校园设施（TEM， SEM， AFM等）。将特别努力征聘和参与少数民族和女性受训人员。此外，所提出的研究将为生物结构的形成提供新的见解，因此通过新颖的仿生制造路线在光子材料工程中具有巨大的潜力。光子结构有望在能源和信息技术方面取得突破，因此有望在日常生活中深刻影响我们的社会。

ID: MPS/DMR/BMAT(7623) 1005382 PI: Bartl, Michael ORG: University of UtahTitle: Bioinspired Fabrication of Periodically Organized Photonic StructuresINTELLECTUAL MERIT: In the colored structures of many insects, colors are generated by optical interference produced through the interaction of light with periodically ordered low and high refractive index structures incorporated into the exoskeleton of the insects. Such structural colors have recently been of interest for use as photonic crystals with potential impact in next-generation energy and information technology applications. While current photonic engineering capabilities at visible wavelengths are rather limited, biological systems have evolved to create the most complex photonic architectures structures that are still far out of our synthetic reach. The proposed research is directed towards these biostructures and is focused on gaining detailed insights into the photonic structure formation/assembly mechanism of biological systems and developing biomimetic routes for the fabrication of novel three-dimensionally ordered dielectric materials for photonic applications. The PI will conduct high-resolution structural investigations of photonic architectures in iridescent beetles to uncover both the exact crystal lattices and their assembly environment. From these results, he will develop biomimetic structure formation experiments to study the assembly chemistry and physics of biopolymeric compounds in terms of solution composition, presence of surfactant-type molecules, and assembly/phase separation mechanism (nucleation and growth vs. spinodal decomposition). He will also combine these biopolymeric formation studies with spatial confinement effects. The goal is to mimic the three-dimensionally confined assembly-chambers in many beetles (exoskeleton scales) by fabricating microcompartments and investigating biopolymer structure assembly in these confined spaces. From these studies it is hoped not only to gain valuable insights into the fascinating variation of structural colors in biology but also to develop novel synthesis approaches for complex bioinspired photonic materials for advanced optical and optoelectronic applications.BROADER IMPACTS: A central mission of the proposed activities is the integration of research and educational efforts at several levels. In collaboration with a local high school, integration will be pursued through an "adopt-a-class" approach, where we will involve and guide students in science projects related to nanomaterials, light and energy. This will be accomplished through mutual visits several times a year and an email/internet "science hotline." It is anticipated that the discoveries and results from these projects will be publicly displayed at the Utah Science Day and in the form of a temporary installation at the Utah Museum of Natural History. At the undergraduate level, integration will be achieved through the installment of a "special" experiment (in addition to typical "designed" teaching experiments) in the PI's undergraduate lab course, where for several days students will perform "real world" research side-by-side with the PI's graduate students. At the graduate level the new students selected will be specifically trained in the interdisciplinary aspects of this proposal, including training on the PI?s optical spectroscopy lab facility and on other campus facilities (TEM, SEM, AFM, etc.). Special efforts will be focused on the recruitment and involvement of minority and female trainees. In addition, the proposed research will gain new insights into biological structure formation and thus has enormous potential in photonic materials engineering via novel biomimetic fabrication routes. Photonic structures promise breakthroughs in energy and information technology and therefore promise to deeply impact our society in everyday life.