9.1 Materials by Design: Molecular Contributions to Coloration in Cephalopod Chromatophores for Bio-inspired Photonic Systems

Abstract

Major Goals: Major Goals: This fundamental (6.1) innovative research investigates next generation, sustainable coatings that address PP-13-12-03: green pigments that provide both visible and infrared (IR) coloration in polymers, without using chromium-based pigments, and responsive, multi-functional surface coatings that include tunable pigments with low ESOH risk. CCDC-SC and Northeastern University have partnered to build on earlier informal collaboration under a CCDC-SC 6.1 nano-enhanced scattering program. In thin films containing chromatophore pigment granules (diameter ~ 500 nm), we observed large (> 40%) forward scattering of visible and near-IR light, providing clues on how to obtain ideal coloration (e.g., bright and spectrally-pure reflectivity) and tunability when combined with the underlying cephalopod iridophores and leucophore organs. In this EQBR work, our major goals are to expand on these exciting findings by: 1- Measure/model back- and forward-scattering of cephalopod granules 2- Compare to control samples for scattering: plasmonic nanoparticles 3- Determine effect of thickness, particle distribution, and reflector on scattering/absorption; Deliverable: create and test molecular-based model describing bio-optics and color richness in cephalopods 4- Investigate tunability of color in response to pH and electrochemical triggers5- Investigate tunability of color in response to optical triggers 6- New design/synthesis of samples (Deliverable) to improve tunability 7- Transition to fiber platform (Deliverable: scattering fibers) 8- Demonstrate tunability of color in response to trigger(s) in films Accomplishments: 1. Fabricated films comprising a distribution of squid pigment granules with multiple thicknesses. Monolayer and multilayer films were designed to represent the dynamic states (fully expanded to punctate forms) of the chromatophore.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 22, 2021
Accession Number
AD1196194

Entities

People

  • Leila F Deravi

Organizations

  • Northeastern University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Coatings
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Films
  • Forward Scattering
  • Lactic Acid
  • Light Scattering
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Metallic Nanoparticles
  • Monomolecular Films
  • Nanoparticles
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Particles
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Physical Properties
  • Plasmonic Nanoparticles
  • Refractive Index
  • Scattering
  • Thin Films

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Nanofabrication and Microfabrication.
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology