Butterfly wings inspire ‘invisible’ solar technologies

Supported by a three-year EPSRC fellowship, the research aims to manufacture novel bio-inspired optics for integration into lightweight solar panel technologies through applying unique properties seen in the nanostructures of certain butterfly wings — specifically the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) and glasswing butterfly (Greta-Oto).

Currently developing solar concentrators, such as magnifying lenses, can use cheap glass or plastic optics to concentrate sunlight onto photovoltaic panels. In its fellowship summary, the team highlighted that whilst these systems, called CPV systems, can reduce the amount of expensive, heavily mined photovoltaic material required whilst maintaining overall power output, they can also be cumbersome.

Due to this, the researchers believe that combining the disciplines of concentrator photovoltaics with the natural lightweight butterfly wing structures via biomimicry could result in solar energy technology with a tripled power-to-weight ratio when compared with current tech.

“The nanostructures of some butterfly wings achieve exceptional optical properties within very thin layers,” said principal investigator Dr Katie Shanks, a postdoctoral researcher at Exeter University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute.