Inspired by the fireflies glow Han new efficient LED lamp comes out

One of the most simple pleasures of summer is the yellow green glow of fireflies. Generations of children dream of the garden full of fireflies. One day it may be possible to say that you've got a lamp full of fireflies, or at least a light bulb inspired by a firefly.

The latest study has found that the use of a firefly inspired lens in the form of LED lights, the need for less energy can be issued a stronger light. Scientists have developed a lens for LED lamps, similar to the small folds of the firefly's "lantern" cover. This lens allows 98% of the light to pass through it, which is better than the traditional light bulb and this improvement is similar to the use of a layer of expensive anti reflective coat.

Researchers in South Korea have inspired a new type of highly transparent LED light bulb, inspired by the luminous pattern of the firefly's abdomen

Zheng Jixun and colleagues at the centre for advanced research in South Korea have studied the belly of a Firefly with a scanning electron microscope. They found that the luminous part of the abdomen was made up of three layers, and had a distinct resemblance to the LED bulb. A standard LED bulb is made up of a reflective cup and a lens holder. Similarly, a firefly lantern is composed of a reflecting layer, a luminous layer and a horny layer or a shell covered with tiny folds. In contrast to the rest of the firefly, the parts of the light that glow through the abdomen of the firefly are quite orderly.

Zheng Jixun found that the folds helped the firefly's special light to pass through the firefly's lanterns more effectively, so they tried to etch a similar pattern with plastic. Sure enough, creating a similar pattern on a LED bulb can transmit more light. The researchers said this technology can be used to enhance the camera phone, flash, car headlights and even home lighting light.

This inspiration is not an exact example of borrowing from mother nature, since the artificial LED bulb is more orderly and regular than the tail of a firefly. The researchers used the nano etching method to wrap the light bulb into a honeycomb shape rather than a long, twisted like glow. But like a real firefly, the pattern appears to be most effective when the wavelength is 560 nm or yellow green light, similar to that of a firefly.

Zheng Jixun says that doesn't necessarily mean that we're going to have all the firefly lights. The nanostructures can be changed to enhance the wavelength. The transmittance is very sensitive to the shape of the nanostructures, which can be optimized for a specific wavelength of light.