We’ve all experienced not being able to read a text message or blog on our smartphones when the sun is shining. You ultimately have to wait until you find some shade or can get indoors. Well the moth has one up on us. Moth’s eyes are covered with tiny structures that help them see in the dark, stop them from reflecting light and also alerts them to night-time predators looking for a late night snack.
Nanotechnology (“nanotech“) is manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. Scientists duplicate the moth’s nanotechnology to create an anti-reflective film that allows images and words to show up clearly on mobile devices in bright sunlight.
US lead researcher Dr Shin-Tson Wu, from the College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida, said: “Using our flexible anti-reflection film on smartphones and tablets will make the screen bright and sharp, even when viewed outside. In addition to exhibiting low reflection, our nature-inspired film is also scratch resistant and self-cleaning, which would protect touch screens from dust and fingerprints.”
Downside to this technology is that it will drain battery power. What else is new, right? Not to worry, this film technology is still being tweaked so that is can withstand prolonged use. Goodness knows a moth eyes would never be able to withstand the abuse that some of our phones get.