Book dossier

Biomimetics in photonics

by Olaf Karthaus

"This unique book explores a biomimetic approach for developing and improving photonic devices and structures. Leaders in the field discuss not only the mimicking of natural structures and solutions to engineering problems, but also the true understanding of natural processes and the application of these techniques to established technologies. Suitable for researchers and graduate students, the book does more than describe how to extract good design from nature--it highlights natural design techniques in context, allowing for a more complete modeling picture"-- "Biomimetic photonics is a fascinating research are in that scientists from different backgrounds contribute to it. And contributors to this book also raise some interesting ideas:(1)Nature does so many different things with so few building blocks, using so little energy. Randomness, fuzziness and even chaos are integral parts of how nature does things most effectively and efficiently. (2) We are the only conscious species on earth that is able to use technology to a point at which our carelessness and thoughtlessness leads to a significant global impact on the ecosystem. Still, we can learn from the design principles that are used in plants and animals to produce structures and devices that might help slowing down and even reversing anthropogenic changes in the environment. (3) Animate nature contains many yet undiscovered clues that will help scientists and engineers to solve some of the most prominent problems we face"--