Sea sponge-inspired microlenses offer new possibilities in optics

Beneath the ocean's surface, simple marine animals called sea sponges grow delicate glass skeletons that are as intricate as they are strong. These natural structures are made of a material called silica – also known as bioglass – that is both lightweight and incredibly durable, allowing the sea sponges to thrive in harsh marine environments.

Now, scientists at the University of Rochester have replicated this remarkable material in the lab, using bacteria and enzymes from sea sponges to create tiny microlenses that mimic the sea sponge's natural ability to combine strength and lightness.

By applying the remarkable properties of sea sponges, the researchers unlock new possibilities for creating sustainable and efficient materials that mimic the natural world. The team reports that the bioinspired material could pave the way toward specialized image sensors for medical and commercial uses.

„This research is the first to engineer light-focusing properties into bacteria cells, and I am excited to explore the different possibilities that our work has opened up,“ says Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor in Rochester's Department of Biology.

Image source: University of Rochester photo / The Meyer Lab.