Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026
07:37
TiO2-coated Hollow Glass Microspheres with Superhydrophobic and High IR-reflective Properties Synthesized by a Soft-chemistry Method
Published on: April 26, 2017
10.2K
Leafhopper-inspired reversibly switchable antireflection coating with sugar apple-like structure arrays.
Kuan-Ting Chiang1, Shin-Hua Lin1, Yu-Zhe Ye1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Road, Taichung City 40227, Taiwan.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|July 2, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed novel optical coatings inspired by leafhoppers. These silica hollow sphere/shape memory polymer composites offer tunable antireflective properties, enhancing light transmittance for energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Tunable optical coatings are crucial for advanced energy applications.
- Bio-inspired designs offer novel solutions for optical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create self-assembled silica hollow sphere/shape memory polymer composites for tunable antireflection.
- To investigate the reversibility and robustness of these bio-inspired optical coatings.
Main Methods:
- Non-lithography-based self-assembly of silica hollow sphere/shape memory polymer composites.
- Systematic investigation of reversibility, mechanical robustness, and structure-shape effects.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant enhancement in visible transmittance (ca. 6.3% at normal incidence).
- Demonstrated over 20% improvement in transmittance at a 75° incident angle.
- Confirmed reversible erasure and recovery of antireflection properties under ambient conditions.
Conclusions:
- The developed bio-inspired composite coatings exhibit promising tunable, broadband, and omnidirectional antireflective properties.
- These coatings possess mechanical robustness and reversible functionality, suitable for next-generation optical energy applications.
Keywords:
Hierarchical structure arraysShape memory polymersSilica hollow spheresSmall yellow leafhoppersTunable antireflective characteristicsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:34The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis
The light reactions of photosynthesis assume a linear flow of electrons from water to NADP+. During this process, light energy drives the splitting of water molecules to produce oxygen. However, oxidation of water molecules is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction and requires a strong oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by the first product of light reactions: oxidized P680 (or P680+), the most powerful oxidizing agent known in biology. The oxidized P680 that acquires an electron from the...
01:30The Electrical Double Layer
In the region where two bulk phases meet, an intricate electric charge distribution arises due to charge transfer, ion adsorption, molecular orientation, and charge distortion. This complex distribution is commonly referred to as the electrical double layer.When a solid electrode interfaces with ions in an electrolyte solution, the speed of electron transfer dictates the rates of oxidation and reduction. The electrode acquires a charge through the escape of atoms into the solution as cations or...