Pigment enhances light absorption: tropical plants

1 of 1 Light through the canopy / Ben Britten / License

Leaves of tropical plants such as Leptospermum recapture light with purple pigment.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Solar cells, building materials that incorporate pigments for light/temperature regulation.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"On the floor of a well-established forest, the light may be very dim indeed." Some plants in Borneo's tropical rain forests "maximise the meagre light that falls on them in a different way. They coat the underside of their leaves with a purple pigment. This catches the light after it has passed through the thickness of the leaf and redirects it back into the leaf tissues so that the chlorophyll has a second chance to utilise what is left of it." (Attenborough 1995:47-48)

About the inspiring organism

Leptospermum
Leptospermum

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Solar cells, building materials that incorporate pigments for light/temperature regulation.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Building industry, optical engineering, medical industry, biosensors

Hornet electricity - Dye-sensitized solar cell

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

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ille
Occupation: College/University Educator
Location: Bangi, Malaysia

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