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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.02.11.942110

Design and fabrication of recombinant reflectin-based Bragg reflectors: bio-design engineering and photoisomerism induced wavelength modulation

Wolde-Michael, E.·Roberts, A. D.·Heyes, D. J.·Dumanli, A.·Blaker, J.·Takano, E.·Scrutton, N.
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Abstract

The remarkable camouflage capabilities of cephalopods have inspired many to develop dynamic optical materials which exploit certain design principles and/or material properties from cephalopod dermal cells. Here, the angle-dependent optical properties of various single-layer reflectin thin-films are characterized within the UV-Vis-NIR regions. Following this, the design and fabrication of the first bio-inspired reflectin-based Bragg reflector is described, which was found to conserve the optical properties of single layer films but exhibit a unique characteristic; reduced angle-dependent reflectivity. Finally, a novel method of controlling reflectin thin-film optical properties is introduced; visible light-induced photoisomerism, representing a new class of reflectin-based optical materials.

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Wolde-Michael, E., Roberts, A. D., Heyes, D. J., Dumanli, A., Blaker, J., Takano, E., Scrutton, N.. 2020-02-12. Design and fabrication of recombinant reflectin-based Bragg reflectors: bio-design engineering and photoisomerism induced wavelength modulation. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.11.942110

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