Researchers Study Synthetic Microspheres for Antireflective Coatings
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Synthetic microspheres with nanoscale holes can absorb light from all directions across a wide range of frequencies, making the spheres a candidate for antireflective coatings, according to a team of Penn State engineers. The synthetic spheres also explain how the leaf hopper insect uses similar particles to hide from predators in its environment.
Scientists have long been aware that leaf hoppers extrude microparticles, called brochosomes, and wipe them on their wings. Because the particles are superhydrophobic, the leaf hopper’s wings stay dry in wet conditions. What was not understood before the current work is that the brochosomes also allow leaf hoppers and their eggs to blend in with their background at the wavelengths of light visible to their main predators, such as the ladybird beetle.