Engineering hierarchical architectures for bio-inspired photonics
File(s)
Author(s)
Chen, Shengyang
Type
Thesis or dissertation
Abstract
Complex nano- and micro-engineered hierarchical structures provide opportunities towards mimicking optical elements and functionalities found in nature. It has, however, been challenging to replicate certain architectures: for instance, those found in butterflies’ wings that are based on combined structural and pigmentary colouration mechanisms. Here we engineer such hierarchical structures consisting of diffraction gratings and nanoparticles of polystyrene or light-absorbing spherical particles made of a conjugated polymer as pigment. Simple geometrical relationships can be employed to program the particles into specific sites and form diverse patterns such as those in the wing scales: from ordered to disordered arrangements; hexagonal-packed or random-packed structures, to monolayer vs. multilayer architectures. As elucidated with model systems, this thesis’ research/findings may open a versatile design platform in terms of the fabrication of multifunctional nano- and microstructures with assembly hierarchies for use in the field of biomimetics, photonics and beyond.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2020-04
Online Publication Date
2021-05-31T23:01:47Z
2021-08-10T13:54:56Z
Date Awarded
2020-06
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International Licence
Advisor
Stingelin, Natalie
Stavrinou, Paul
Sponsor
China Scholarship Council and Imperial College, London
Publisher Department
Materials
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)