Inverse opal structures and methods for their preparation and use

摘要

Light-reflective structures comprising a binding material configured as an inverse opal having reflections of at least two wavelengths and methods of producing the light-reflective structures are described herein. The wavelengths reflected by the light-reflective structures may be tuned by external stimuli. In an example, silk-fibroin inverse opals have two reflection wavelengths that may be shifted based on changes in humidity.

主权项

1. An apparatus including a light-reflective fabric material comprising a binding material configured as an inverse opal,
wherein the inverse opal comprises silk fibroin and has a crystal lattice with a lattice constant selected to produce reflection of at least two desired wavelengths, wherein a change in humidity causes a change in the lattice constant to generate a shift in the at least two desired wavelengths, wherein the apparatus further comprises a humidity control device configured to vary a humidity level, further comprising a substrate which is in contact with the binding material configured as an inverse opal, and wherein the substrate is a fabric, fiber, or other textile material.