Multiscale Replication of Iridescent Butterfly Wings

Natural photonic structures have been extensively studied and have shown their interest as a source of inspiration for new bio-inspired devices in many areas. After these initial studies and characterization phases, we have now to reproduce these structures, mainly in inorganic materials, to exacerbate interesting effects or generate new ones. If we want to preserve the best of their multi-scale and more or less ordered structures, producing a molding seems more appropriate. Such prints can be achieved by physical or chemical means, the latter being a priori particularly suitable for three-dimensional structures.