Gradient refractive indices enable squid structural color and inspire multispectral materials.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Gradient refractive indices enable squid structural color and inspire multispectral materials.
Authors: Bogdanov, Georgii, Strzelecka, Aleksandra Anna, Kaimal, Nikhil, Senft, Stephen L., Lee, Sanghoon, Hanlon, Roger T., Gorodetsky, Alon A.
Source: Science. 6/26/2025, Vol. 388 Issue 6754, p1389-1395. 7p.
Subjects: Structural colors, Refractive index, Iridescence, Optical interference, Bragg gratings
Abstract: The manipulation of light by means of materials with varying refractive index distributions is widespread among natural systems and modern technologies. However, understanding how animals leverage refractive index differences for dynamic color changes and then translating such insight into tunable optical devices remains challenging. We experimentally and computationally demonstrated that iridescent cells (iridophores) containing Bragg reflectors with sinusoidal-wave (rugate) refractive index profiles enable squid dorsal mantle tissues to reversibly transition between nearly transparent and vibrantly colored states. We then drew inspiration from these findings for the design and development of iridophore-inspired multispectral composite materials with tunable visible and infrared functionalities. Our study provides insight into squid dynamic structural coloration mechanisms and furnishes a technology for camouflage, heat management, display, and sensing applications. Editor's summary: Squids and octopuses are known for their rapid adaptive coloration, an ability that enables them to effectively camouflage and that is also used for communication. Bogdanov et al. performed a detailed examination of the cells (iridophores) and cell clusters (splotches) that produce these colors (see the Perspective by Shawkey). There was a complex distribution of cells and other components that exhibit gradient refractive indices arising from their constituent winding platelet columns, resulting in structural color. Computational modeling of this system supported the design of artificially fabricated nanostructures that show tunable visible and infrared spectral responses. The authors implemented these structures in complex materials such as fabric and clothing. —Marc S. Lavine [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Science is the property of American Association for the Advancement of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 188104116
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Gradient refractive indices enable squid structural color and inspire multispectral materials.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bogdanov%2C+Georgii%22">Bogdanov, Georgii</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Strzelecka%2C+Aleksandra+Anna%22">Strzelecka, Aleksandra Anna</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kaimal%2C+Nikhil%22">Kaimal, Nikhil</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Senft%2C+Stephen+L%2E%22">Senft, Stephen L.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lee%2C+Sanghoon%22">Lee, Sanghoon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hanlon%2C+Roger+T%2E%22">Hanlon, Roger T.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gorodetsky%2C+Alon+A%2E%22">Gorodetsky, Alon A.</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Science%22">Science</searchLink>. 6/26/2025, Vol. 388 Issue 6754, p1389-1395. 7p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+colors%22">Structural colors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Refractive+index%22">Refractive index</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Iridescence%22">Iridescence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Optical+interference%22">Optical interference</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bragg+gratings%22">Bragg gratings</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The manipulation of light by means of materials with varying refractive index distributions is widespread among natural systems and modern technologies. However, understanding how animals leverage refractive index differences for dynamic color changes and then translating such insight into tunable optical devices remains challenging. We experimentally and computationally demonstrated that iridescent cells (iridophores) containing Bragg reflectors with sinusoidal-wave (rugate) refractive index profiles enable squid dorsal mantle tissues to reversibly transition between nearly transparent and vibrantly colored states. We then drew inspiration from these findings for the design and development of iridophore-inspired multispectral composite materials with tunable visible and infrared functionalities. Our study provides insight into squid dynamic structural coloration mechanisms and furnishes a technology for camouflage, heat management, display, and sensing applications. Editor's summary: Squids and octopuses are known for their rapid adaptive coloration, an ability that enables them to effectively camouflage and that is also used for communication. Bogdanov et al. performed a detailed examination of the cells (iridophores) and cell clusters (splotches) that produce these colors (see the Perspective by Shawkey). There was a complex distribution of cells and other components that exhibit gradient refractive indices arising from their constituent winding platelet columns, resulting in structural color. Computational modeling of this system supported the design of artificially fabricated nanostructures that show tunable visible and infrared spectral responses. The authors implemented these structures in complex materials such as fabric and clothing. —Marc S. Lavine [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Science is the property of American Association for the Advancement of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=188104116
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1126/science.adn1570
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 7
        StartPage: 1389
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Structural colors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Refractive index
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Iridescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Optical interference
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bragg gratings
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Gradient refractive indices enable squid structural color and inspire multispectral materials.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Bogdanov, Georgii
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Strzelecka, Aleksandra Anna
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Kaimal, Nikhil
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Senft, Stephen L.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lee, Sanghoon
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Hanlon, Roger T.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Gorodetsky, Alon A.
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 26
              M: 06
              Text: 6/26/2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 00368075
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 388
            – Type: issue
              Value: 6754
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Science
              Type: main
ResultId 1