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Indonesian Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio blumei) DEFINITIONS
Pigment - Pigments are chemical compounds that only reflect certain wavelengths of visible light.
Microscopic - Something that is too small to be seen with the naked eye; a microscope must be used to see it.
Nanofabrication: Nanofabrication is the design and manufacture of devices with dimensions measured in nanometers. One nanometer is 10 -9 meter, or a millionth of a millimeter.
SUMMARY
British scientists have found a way to mimic the colors found on the wings of tropical butterflies. This method could help prevent forgery. Prior to this finding, researchers had trouble duplicating the colors on insects like beetles and butterflies. The colors were difficult to duplicate because those colors were produced by light bouncing off microscopic structures (on the wings) instead of through pigmentation.
The problem was solved by researchers in Cambridge University. These researchers studied the Indonesian Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio blumei), whose wing scales are composed of intricate, microscopic structures, kind of like the inside of an egg carton. Using a combination of nanofabrication procedures, Cambridge researchers were able to create a structurally identical copies of the butterfly wings, and those copies produced the same vivd colors as the butterfly wings.
One of the researchers stated that, "These artificial structures could be used to encrypt information in optical signatures on banknotes or other valuable items to protect them against forgery."
The problem was solved by researchers in Cambridge University. These researchers studied the Indonesian Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio blumei), whose wing scales are composed of intricate, microscopic structures, kind of like the inside of an egg carton. Using a combination of nanofabrication procedures, Cambridge researchers were able to create a structurally identical copies of the butterfly wings, and those copies produced the same vivd colors as the butterfly wings.
One of the researchers stated that, "These artificial structures could be used to encrypt information in optical signatures on banknotes or other valuable items to protect them against forgery."
DISCUSSION
I found this article extremely interesting. The title of the article caught my eye and I was intrigued by the information provided. I think that it's such a creative idea to use something like butterfly wing colors to prevent forgery. It is a great idea because the colors on the wings are extremely hard to duplicate, making it a good way to protect against forgery.
QUESTIONS
1. The colors on the butterfly wings seem extremely difficult to duplicate. Will this be available to a wide range of people?
2. The article states that the colors can be used as signatures to protect forgery and provide better security. How does that work?
CITATIONS
Article: "Bright butterfly wing colors duplicated." Science Online. N.p., 21 June 2010.
Web. 18 Nov. 2010..
Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
Picture: http://www.bugunderglass.com/shop/buttefly_displays.html
- catherine
