Mimicking mother nature's solar panels

Scientists in China have studied the antireflective behaviour of black butterfly scales to understand the way these natural solar collectors work. The study could inspire new solar cells, anti-reflective films in lenses, micro-optical sensors and stealth technology.

Tongxiang Fan from Shanghai Jiaotong University and colleagues combined morphology characterisation, spectrophotometry and theoretical modelling in their investigation into the black scales of the Triodes aeacus butterfly.   More...

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/October/20101102.asp