Multi-Functional nano-structures in Nature: from optics to mechanics

Living organisms can process natural building blocks into hierarchical architectures under mild environmental conditions to produce varieties of architectures and display extraordinary properties. Some properties such as outstanding mechanical performances or vivid structural colours displayed by natural materials are difficult to be achieved in man-made materials because of the integration of structures from nano- to macro-scales. Biological and bio-inspired studies been attracting researchers in physics, biology, and engineering. However, such nanostructures are often studied in the context of a specific function by different communities and rarely intersect. This thesis aims to combine spectroscopic and mechanical analyses of different types of natural nanostructures. My comparisons on spectra and nanomechanics of helicoidally arranged cellulose microfibrils in the cell walls of Pollia condensata fruits shed light on the origin of the chirality assembling in the plant cell walls. By studying the structural colours developed in the close affinity of Pachyrhynchus sarcitis weevils and their first filial generations, I understand the hereditary characteristics of these photonic nanostructures. Finally, my comparison study on the mimicry pair of Pachyrhynchus nobilis weevils and the Doliops similis longhorn beetles reveals the role of structural colour on the co-evolved traits.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Cambridge

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Chang, Yin

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Vignolini, Silvia

• structural colours
• optics
• mechanics

Licence

• https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/95b05790-2ff6-42e6-ab11-70ec7c4fc435/download
• https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/

Language dc:language

eng

Author Identifier

0000-0002-3391-2650
0000-0003-0664-1418

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/325417