Scatterings
Self-Assembling Microlenses Inspired by Starfish
Scientists in Germany recently made good-quality calcium carbonate microlenses by precipitating them out of solution. They got inspiration a reef-dwelling brittlestar whose body is covered with tiny calcium carbonate lenses that act as the lenses for compound eyes.
Artist’s conception of regularly aligned hemispheres of calcium carbonate forming an array of optical lenses.
Microlenses are becoming increasingly useful in advanced optical applications, but they are complicated to make. Scientists in Germany recently made good-quality calcium carbonate microlenses by precipitating them out of solution (Nat. Comm. 3, 725).
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