Bio-inspired Optics and Photonics – From Metamaterials to Applications

1. Workshop Philosophy
Many of the physical concepts and working principles of technologies that control light are intriguingly similar to nature's light manipulation approaches, while others are extremely different. Long before humans invented lenses, light-guiding fibers, light-emitting active matter, photonic crystals, and various other light management strategies, these concepts had already evolved in many non-related species in nature. Animal vision, the ability of plants to harvest energy from sunlight, the dynamic camouflaging ability of cephalopods and chameleons, and the stunning color displays of butterflies, peacocks, and fruits have evolved to address the organisms' specific light manipulation requirements enabling individual and species survival. Many of the functional criteria and constraints which biological optical systems have evolved to satisfy and comply with are also highly relevant in human needs for light control. Consequently biological optics provides useful inspiration for light manipulation and optical device design.

2. Workshop scope and community
The primary focus of the Workshop "Bio-inspired Optics and Photonics: From Metamaterials to Applications'' (BioOpt 2019) organized by Hendrik Hölscher (KIT) and Mathias Kolle (MIT) was the question "What can be learned from biological optical materials and systems to guide the design of synthetic or bio-derived optical materials and devices within application and resource-imposed constraints?''. Experts from the fields of optics, biology, materials science and engineering, physics, genetics, chemistry, medical engineering, and arts met to discuss the state-of-the-art, update each other on recent achievements and scope out future interdisciplinary projects and collaborations.

3. Workshop attendance and key contributors
The workshop featured 22 invited presentations, 15 contributed talks, and 7 poster contributions delivered by renowned leading experts, outstanding early-career research group leaders, and highly-talented PhD students from 15 different countries. Silvia Vignolini (University of Cambridge) presented the introductory talk providing a beautiful account of the opportunities arising through successful transfer of fundamental research insights and practical implementations of bio-inspired light manipulation strategies with bio-derived cellulose architectures. A pleasant highlight of the first day was the colloquium talk on "Biological photonics" given by Peter Vukusic (University of Exeter), who presented an informative and captivating review of the field. In addition, Peter demonstrated how well-conceived and entertaining science outreach presentations for children can stimulate and amplify their enthusiasm for natural sciences. Peter's presentation was followed by the talk "From mimesis to biomimetics: towards 'smarter' art" by Franziska Schenk (University of Birmingham), who approached the topic from the viewpoint of the arts. Later in the week, the two organizers presented a review of the workshop's topic in a public evening talk. It was very well received by a general audience from Dresden and surrounding areas, despite of the hot summer day. During the workshop, young researchers at different stages of their career (Masters and PhD level to junior faculty) had the opportunity to showcase their studies on the  photonics of butterflies, spiders, hummingbirds and on synthetic photonic materials in presentations and posters (many of which were among the highlights of the conference) and to exchange ideas with seasoned experts during the sessions. Organized social events and spontaneous evening outings to sample the Dresdener nightlife allowed for socializing across career levels. Several of the talks were given by researchers that are part of Dresden's vibrant academic landscape, including Andreas Fery (Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden), Moritz Kreysing (Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden) and Igor Zlotnikov (B CUBE, Technische Universität Dresden). The workshop concluded with two invited presentations that focussed on examples of emerging applications for bio-inspired optical materials. Radislav Potyrailo (GE Global Research) presented bio-inspired gas sensors and Raúl Martin-Palma (Universidad Autonoma de Madrid) showed that biophotonics could help with pest control.

4. Workshop outcomes
The workshop provided a unique opportunity to review and evaluate the current progress in the highly interdisciplinary field of biological and bio-inspired optics and photonics. Many of the presentations provided a clear account of the conceptual and technological insights that can be gained from a deeper understanding of nature's strategies to control light and to form optical materials. The breadth of emerging engineered bio-inspired optical materials and technologies captured in this workshop provided strong evidence that many lessons can be learnt by taking a closer look at nature and - more importantly - provided clear evidence of how such lessons can be translated in technology development. The local organization was perfectly handled by Jenny Kuehne and the other members of the MPIPKS. All participants truly enjoyed this workshop and are grateful to the MPIPKS for providing the infrastructure and generous financial and logistical support.