Winner of the 2010 Earth Award
  • Browse
Sign In · Join

History:...Legs propel insect far: flea...Constructing bubble nests: foam-nesting frog...Collective body heat warms nest: wood ants

Thank a Genius
This record is currently "In Discussion" because of some question about it's relevance to AskNature and/or biomimicry. We encourage you to participate in this discussion on the "Comments" tab.
Created: 2012-01-30
Updated: 2012-01-30

Pigment filters excessive light: balloonfish


Loading...

Slide_show_arrows  1 of 1 Balloonfish / Dan Hershman / LicenseCC-by - Attribution

Chromatophores around the corneas of balloonfish filter excessive light by releasing a pigment.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
 
Taxonomy_1 Maintain physical integrity >
Taxonomy_2 Protect from abiotic factors >
Taxonomy_3 Light
Biomimetic Application Ideas
 
Glass and plastics that filter light differently as the sun changes position, deployable sun shades.

> Visit strategy page

[Collapse all sections] Summary
"The system functions as follows: when the [balloon] fish encounters excessive light, the chromatic cells called 'chromatophore', which are located around the transparent layer (cornea) of the eye, start to release a yellowish dye (pigment). This pigment covers the eye and acts as a filter reducing the intensity of light, which enables the fish to see more accurately. In dark waters, this pigment disappears and the eye receives the maximum possible amount of light." (Yahya 2002:144-145)
About the inspiring organism
Diodon
Diodon
[Balloonfish, porcupinefish]


Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist
Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Glass and plastics that filter light differently as the sun changes position, deployable sun shades.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Materials science, building

References
Harun Yahya. 2002. Design in Nature. London: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd. 180 p.
Google>>  Scirus>>

Content tools

Curator of this page

Are you an expert on this topic? Apply to be a curator >



Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License.

Privacy | Terms of Use | Donate | Sitemap | Feedback

© 2008-2012 The Biomimicry Institute