We have completed maintenance on DiscoverMagazine.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

Are Eyes From Flies the Future of Solar Technology?

Discoblog
By Allison Bond
Jul 30, 2010 5:52 AMNov 20, 2019 2:37 AM
eyes-300x235.jpg

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Scientists are eyeing the future of solar technology--specifically, fly eyes. Turns out those bubbly-looking spectators might be just the ticket to more-efficient solar cells, researchers from Penn State University say. Blowflies have peepers that would help solar panels collect light more efficiently, and creating these fly-eye molds was a feat in itself, according to Discovery News. After plucking the corneas from blowflies,

"The researchers took corneas, fixed them on a glass substrate, added a polymer to protect the shape and then coated nine-eye arrays in nickel within a vacuum chamber. The result was a master template that retained those useful nanoscale features. Ultimately that template can be used to replicate the pattern exactly."

As they say, 30 eyes are better than one. Accordingly, the researchers next plan to create a template using 30 fly corneas. Related content: Discoblog: How Butterfly Wing Patterns Could Thwart Counterfeiting Crooks Discoblog: Video: The Delicate Flutter of Robotic Butterfly Wings Discoblog: A Fruit Fly With a Laser-Shaved Penis Just Can’t Catch a Break Image: flickr / Thomas Shahan

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.