Butterfly wings have inspired a £3.2m, three-year research project in security, energy and the environment between Exeter University and technology company QinetiQ.
With the butterfly project they aim to develop new technologies based on their discoveries in the field of tailored electromagnetic materials – made by studying the wings of butterflies (and you thought they just looked pretty).
They’ve uncovered the secret to butterfly wings’ iridescence, and my mimiking this they aim to develop new products in anti-counterfeit technology, radio-frequency identification technology, wi-fi efficiency and security.
The project is funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s (EPSRC) £55m Knowledge Transfer Accounts (KTA), which were established to help translate research into business innovation and will formalise the relationship between QinetiQ and the university, which has seen seven patents developed in the latest year.
Next up on the agenda could be working out how to use the dust from moths wings.
• Got any insect innovations? Comments below, please.
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