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Sci Rep

Title:		A biomimicry design for nanoscale radiative cooling applications inspired by Morpho didius butterfly
Author(s):		Didari A; Menguc MP;
Address:		"Center for Energy, Environment and Economy (CEEE), Ozyegin University, Istanbul, 34794, Turkey. azadeh.didari@ozyegin.edu.tr. Center for Energy, Environment and Economy (CEEE), Ozyegin University, Istanbul, 34794, Turkey. pinar.menguc@ozyegin.edu.tr"
Journal Title:		Sci Rep
Year:		2018
Volume:		20181115
Issue:		1
Page Number:		16891 -
DOI:		10.1038/s41598-018-35082-3
ISSN/ISBN:		2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In nature, novel colors and patterns have evolved in various species for survival, recognizability or mating purposes. Investigations of the morphology of various butterfly wings have shown that in addition to the pigmentation, micro and nanostructures within the wings have also allowed better communication systems and the pheromone-producing organs which are the main regulators of the temperature within butterfly wings. Within the blue spectrum (450-495 nm), Morpho didius butterfly exhibit iridescence in their structure-based wings' color. Inspired by the rich physics behind this concept, we present a designer metamaterial system that has the potential to be used for near-field radiative cooling applications. This biomimicry design involves SiC palm tree-like structures placed in close proximity of a thin film in a vacuum environment separated by nanoscale gaps. The near-field energy exchange is enhanced significantly by decreasing the dimensions of the tree and rotating the free-standing structure by 90 degrees clockwise and bringing it to the close proximity of a second thin film. This exchange is calculated by using newly developed near-field radiative transfer finite difference time domain (NF-RT-FDTD) algorithm. Several orders of enhancement of near-field heat flux within the infrared atmospheric window (8-13 mum bandwidth) are achieved. This spectrally selective enhancement is associated with the geometric variations, the spatial location of the source of excitation and the material characteristics, and can be tuned to tailor strong radiative cooling mechanisms"
Keywords:		Animals *Biomimetics Butterflies/*anatomy & histology *Cold Temperature Computer Simulation Electricity Light Nanoparticles/*chemistry;
Notes:		"MedlineDidari, Azadeh Menguc, M Pinar eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2018/11/18 Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 15; 8(1):16891. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35082-3"