Dresden 2017 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 14: Poster: Bioinspired Functional Materials
CPP 14.5: Poster
Monday, March 20, 2017, 18:30–21:00, P1C
Optical characterisation of single setae of the Saharan silver ant — •Bertram Schwind1, Helge-Otto Fabritius2, Thorsten Wagner1, and Xia Wu1 — 1Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany — 2Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
The Saharan silver ant (Cataglyphis bombycina) is adapted to extreme hot environmental conditions of the sahara desert [1]. The body of the ant is covered with a dense array of triangular shaped setae [2]. These setae not only reflect the incoming solar radiation by internal total reflection [3], but also enhance radiative cooling [2].
To deepen our understanding on the optical properties of the setae, we measured transmission spectra of single setae by FTIR from the MIR to visible range. Both the chemical composition and the orientation of the setae may have an influence on the shape of the transmission spectra. The absorption bands in the MIR region identify the composition of the setae. The relationship between the structure of the setae (orientation, shape, size, surface morphology) and scattering is investigated by transmission experiments combined with FDTD simulations.
References:
[1] Wehner, R. et al., Nature 357, pp. 586 - 587, 1992; doi: 10.1038/357586a0
[2] Norman, N. S. et al., Science 17 Jul 2015: Vol. 349, Issue 6245, pp. 298-301, doi: 10.1126/science.aab3564
[3] Willot, Q. et al., PLoS ONE 11(4): e0152325. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152325