UCL Promotors : Alain Cornet, Pierre Defrance
UCL Collaborators : Abdessitir Deraoui, Laurent Francis (ICTEAM)
External collaborations : Olivier Deparis (U. Namur), Toto Mabiala Massiala (U. Kinshasa, RDC)
Funding : projet ARC
The selected scattering of electromagnetic radiation radiation through nanostructured films is attracting an increasing attention because it could be basic to a large number of engineering developments. Just to mention a few : (1) colouration of steel, glass, plastic, textiles, paper; (2) broadband antireflection coatings; (3) broadband selective reflectors; (4) efficient light extraction from cold sources; (5) optimized light intake in photovoltaic devices, (6) selective surfaces for controlled thermal emission; (7) optical gas, vapour and liquid sensors…
On the other hand, biologists know many living organisms that have evolved nanostructures which serve the purpose of controlling the spatial and spectral distribution of light and heat. The purpose of this project is to organize, in the Louvain Academy , a strong initiative involving biologists, chemists, physicists and material scientists who aim at transferring original mechanisms discovered in natural structures into intelligent radiation-controlling thin films and coatings. This encompasses discovering new optical structures in insects, birds, spiders, reptiles and marine animals, studying them from the point of view of physics and biology, and using the acquired understanding to build bio-inspired artificial structures with extended optical and thermal properties.