Zimmerl, M., Kaltenböck Paul, Whitmore, K., & Gebeshuber, I.-C. (2024, May 17). Utilizing passive radiative properties of Silver Ants [Poster Presentation]. The 1st International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB 2024), Wien, Austria.
The increasing occurrence of hot summer days causes stress for both humans and animals, par-
ticularly in urban areas where temperatures remain high even at night. Nature o ers potential
solutions that require minimal energy and material costs. For instance, the Saharan Silver Ant can
endure the desert heat by means of passive radiative cooling induced by its triangular hairs. Shi et
al.1 experimentally demonstrated this e ect. The aim of this project is to transfer the structural
cooling property of the Ant to various surfaces by using an epoxy mould or stamp. Shrimp shells
are chosen as the rst target surface due to their low cost (as a waste product), biodegradability,
and similarity in material to the ants' bodies (Chitin). In the initial phase of the project, shrimp
shells are scratched with a diamond tip. Some of the samples are subjected to simulated hot and
cold climates inside a climate chamber for three weeks. Comparing the exposed to the unexposed
samples provides insight into the weatherability of the shells. The measurements are carried out
with optical, confocal and electron microscopy. In the second part, a stamp of the Silver Ants
surface is manufactured using the process described in the paper by Zobl et al.2 This Stamp is
used to modify the shrimp shell surface, with the aim to increase its emissivity. We want to show,
that it is possible to decrease the surface temperature purely through functionalities induced via
structural modi cation. This shall then be scaled up for larger surfaces, such as house facades, to
reduce the need for conventional cooling.
1 Keeping cool: Enhanced optical re
ection and radiative heat dissipation in Saharan silver ants.
Shi, 2015, DOI: 10.1126/science.aab3564
2 Morpho peleides butter
y wing imprints as structural colour stamp. Zobl, 2016
DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/11/1/016006
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Research Areas:
Materials Characterization: 50% Biological and Bioactive Materials: 50%