Birds boast some of the most vibrant colors among terrestrial animals. Our pretty avian friends have inspired our Democrat and Chronicle photographers for years and captured the imaginations of many ...

The feathers of a hummingbird, the wings of a butterfly, and the sparkle of an opal are all examples of nature's ability to produce structural, iridescent colors that typically require lab-grade ...

Many species of songbirds have evolved to have strikingly colorful plumage, aiding them in catching the eye of mates, signaling, and recognizing each other. These eye-catching patterns have long ...

Using synchrotron X-ray methodologies and nanotechnology-based analytical methods, Northwestern University scientists have uncovered how nanoscale, spongy architectures — rather than pigments — within ...

(Nanowerk Spotlight) Often, when we marvel at the vibrant colors of the natural world, we overlook the intricate nanoscale structures responsible for producing such splendor: welcome to the world of ...

Figure 1. Application of structural color. Nature not only provides humans with abundant material resources but also offers rich colors, satisfying both material and spiritual needs. The vibrant and ...

When researchers found a hummingbird with glittering gold feathers, they initially thought a new species had been discovered, but what they actually found was far more unusual. The bird — found in ...

Pure Structural Color is made of several extremely thin sheets of non-conductive material. These layers are stacked together and imprinted, or stamped, with a nano-scale pattern of rods with curved ...

Nature's wonders include birds that subtly shift their appearance throughout the year. These transformations, driven by seasons, breeding cycles, diet, and feather wear, range from dramatic camouflage ...