Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2013, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6): 451-457.

• Natural Forum • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Relationship between the unique functions of organism and its microstructure

LIN Jia-li①, FANG Xin②, LIN Shuang-mei③   

  1. ①Master, ②Associate Professor, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China;
    ③Master, Testing Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
  • Received:2013-09-22 Revised:2013-10-22 Online:2013-12-25 Published:2013-12-25

Abstract: After several billion years’ evolution, creatures in nature possess perfect structures and unique functions which favor
their acclimatization. For instance, the lotus leaf exhibits almost complete self-cleaning ability with its superhydrophobic surface, the
male peacock has colorful and beautiful feathers which are helpful in its courtship display, and the nacre from seashells exhibits
superior levels of strength and toughness. This paper thus introduces the micromorphology of the three organisms mentioned above,
and reveals that the unique functions of organisms are related with the nanostructures and the accurate assembly method of these
nanostructures in their microstructures.

Key words: microstructure, superhydrophobic surface, photonic crystal, structural colors, nacre