CAREER: HCC: DiTwiST: Enabling Digital Twinning of Nature-Inspired Structural Coloration Taxonomy

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $639,544 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

By effectively mimicking natural, energy-efficient, nano-structural designs through computer simulations, scientists could fabricate novel optical materials with applications in energy-efficient products and visual computing pipelines. Examples of such natural designs abound, including those found on insect wings, insect-eye lenses, bird feathers, and rock surfaces. However, challenges to this optical biomimicry are compounded by the scale, volume, diversity, and intricate interplay of underlying wave-optical phenomena. Subtle light-matter interactions significantly influence the observable properties of light perceived by human observers and/or man-made sensors. This project will develop an effective and efficient, data-driven computational framework that leverages mathematical simplifications to accurately and affordably model complex light-matter interactions. This work will empower researchers to design, prototype, and fabricate cutting-edge, energy-efficient products for capturing, sensing, and displaying visual information. This work will contribute to advancements in the automobile, military, biomedical, architectural, and art and entertainment industries. Furthermore, this project will create new learning materials, develop framework usage guidelines, and disseminate knowledge through K-12 engagement to foster STEM education among aspiring scientists and visual computing professionals. To achieve these goals, the investigator will develop a computational framework

Key facts

NSF award ID
2442797
Awardee
Clemson University (SC)
SAM.gov UEI
H2BMNX7DSKU8
PI
Daljit Singh Dhillon
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, Cyber-Human Systems, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
Estimated total
$639,544
Funds obligated
$417,766
Transaction type
Continuing Grant
Period
06/15/2025 → 05/31/2030