Scientists create artificial eyes like insect eyes

Scientists believe that the optical advantages that insect eyes have can be integrated into many different technologies.

The nanostructures on the artificial insect eyes resemble fur carpets.

Human and many animal eyes have always been impressively accurate. But what compound eyes, the multi-lens approach used in insects, have is incredibly good light sensitivity and motion detection.

Taking advantage of these characteristics, researchers have developed new techniques to recreate the advantages of insect eyes in the fabrication of artificial compound eyes.

To build eyes inspired by nature, scientists had to find a way to create independent but repeating visual receptors.

Typically, some insect eyes have thousands of visual receptor units, each with a lens, cornea, and photoreceptors.

Scientists at Xi'an Jiaotong University have used a special method to recreate a complex visual system like that of insects.

First, the researchers fired the laser through a double layer of acrylic glass. The layers caused the laser beam to bulge, creating a convex shape. Using the same technology, the scientists created several small lenses that could be fitted together to form a larger curved lens.

In a series of steps, the researchers grew nanostructures on top of the convex glass domes, which, up close, resemble a shag carpet. The nanostructures have impressive anti-reflective and water-repellent properties.

Currently, scientists in China are continuing to develop this special technology and hope to soon put it into practical use.

Minh Long