Nature’s Optical Tricks: Understanding biological colors for new bio-inspired materials: BODO WILTS

Lecture series MUSIC & MATHEMATICS

BODO WILTS (Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, University of Salzburg)

Controlling light through photonic nanostructures is crucial for modern optical technologies, from spectrometers to data storage devices. Nature frequently achieves spectacular optical effects using nanostructured materials that produce vibrant, wavelength-dependent colors essential for visual communication among animals, signaling mates or predators. Remarkably, many of these vivid displays are not pigment-based but arise from intricate nanostructures manipulating dielectric materials on the scale of hundreds of nanometers. By altering the morphology of these structures, nature generates the briliant visual appearances seen in butterflies, beetles, spiders, and birds. Pigments, while often secondary, play important roles in enhancing and modulating these optical properties. This talk will explore the optical characteristics of diverse morphologies across selected biological species, demonstrating nature’s strategies for achieving a spectrum of functional colors. Furthermore, these naturally evolved optical phenomena offer exciting possibilities for artistic expression and cosmetics, inspiring creative applications that merge aesthetics with functionality.

Bodo Wilts is Professor of Materials Physics at Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Austria. His lab curiously researchs the vibrant tapestry of colours exhibited by the living world with the goal to create new functional materials.

In English

Idea & Organization:
Simon Blatt, InterMediation / Mathematics Department, University of Salzburg
Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring, InterMediation /Inter-University Organization Science & Arts, Mozarteum University Salzburg, University of Salzburg

Organized by focus area (Inter)Mediation. Music – Mediation – Context / Inter-University Organization Science & Arts, University of Salzburg/Mozarteum University Salzburg in cooperation with the Mathematics department and department Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces, University of Salzburg in series Music & Mathematics.

The series focusses on interdisciplinary networks and perspectives between the disciplines. It is organised and designed in collaboration with international experts from the fields of mathematics, statistics, computer science, composition and music research and provides insights into current research and developments in the border areas between the scientific disciplines.