2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Understanding the Mechanism of Flower Petal Transparency Change and Their Applications for Biomimetics
| Project/Area Number |
19K05620
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| Research Institution | Chitose Institute of Science and Technology |
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Principal Investigator |
Karthaus Olaf 公立千歳科学技術大学, 理工学部, 教授 (80261353)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
谷尾 宣久 公立千歳科学技術大学, 理工学部, 教授 (50217121)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | transparency / refractive index / porous films / petals / biomimetics |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The PI could image non-transparent and transparent flower petals of D. grayii and P. serrulata by SEM and the intercellular space showed swelling. 3-D fluorescence microscopy showed the incorporation of dye into intercellular spaces, reducing refractive index differences. The PI could prepare porous polymer films of fluorinated polymers with 10 um thickness that scatter light. When immersed in water, they turn transparent. The Co-I has measured the refractive index change of these films. The CR has grown D. grayii in a climate chamber at his Institute.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
We are facing a lack of research capabilities because of the global Covid-19 outbreak. A planned meeting with the CR has been postponed indefinitely. SEM imaging and other experiments using flower petals cannot be done, because the flowering season overlaps with lockdown measures at the university.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
We are planning to continue measurements of flowers after the university facilities can be used again. SEM imaging, transparency measurements, refractive index measurements are planned. A visit of the CR at CIST is planned as well as a visit of the PI at the CR lab. Fluorinated polymers will be cast by using other solvents and casting techniques and their porous structure will be inversigated by SEM and the morphology of the porous structure will be assessed by imaging software, such as ImageJ to get a quantitative measure of pore size, pore volume, and film density.
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| Causes of Carryover |
There were less plants and chemical being used than planned.
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