© UCF
The UCF-developed plasmonic paint uses nanoscale structural arrangement of colourless materials — aluminium and aluminium oxide — instead of pigments to create colours. Here the plasmonic paint is applied to the wings of metal butterflies, the insect that inspired the research.
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UCF Researcher Creates World’s First Energy-saving Paint – Inspired by Butterflies Katrina Cabansay, UCF - University of Central Florida Office of Research – Orlando (FL), United States
katrina.cabansay@ucf.edu
Instead of pigment-based coloured paint, which requires artificially synthesized molecules, a UCF researcher has developed an alternative way to produce coloured paint that is more natural, environmentally friendly and light weight.
T
he UCF-developed plasmonic paint uses nanoscale structural
primary colour-generating mechanism in several extremely vivid species
arrangement of colourless materials — aluminium and aluminium
where geometrical arrangement of typically two colourless materials
oxide — instead of pigments to create colours. Here the
produces all colours. On the other hand, with manmade pigment, new
plasmonic paint is applied to the wings of metal butterflies, the insect
molecules are needed for every colour present.”
that inspired the research.
Based on such bio-inspirations, Chanda’s research group innovated
University of Central Florida researcher Debashis Chanda, a professor
a plasmonic paint, which utilizes nanoscale structural arrangement of
in UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center, has drawn inspiration from
colourless materials — aluminium and aluminium oxide — instead of
butterflies to create the first environmentally friendly, large-scale
pigments to create colours.
and multicolour alternative to pigment-based colorants, which can
While pigment colorants control light absorption based on the electronic
contribute to energy-saving efforts and help reduce global warming.
property of the pigment material and hence every colour needs a
Debashis Chanda, a professor in UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center,
new molecule, structural colorants control the way light is reflected,
drew inspiration from butterflies to create the innovative new paint.
scattered or absorbed based purely on the geometrical arrangement of
“The range of colours and hues in the natural world are astonishing —
nanostructures.
from colourful flowers, birds and butterflies to underwater creatures
Such structural colours are environmentally friendly as they only use
like fish and cephalopods,” Chanda says. “Structural colour serves as the
metals and oxides, unlike present pigment-based colours that use
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N. 83 - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 - international PAINT&COATING magazine