ALT Close-up of a Cyphochilus beetle, showcasing its unique white pigment. The intricate patterns on the beetle's exoskeleton reveal the inspiration for Impossible Materials' groundbreaking cellulose-based pigment, promising eco-friendly applications in various industries. Courtesy of the Biomimicry Institute (https://biomimicry.org/)
ALT Professor Silvia Vignolini, Sparxell’s Chief Scientific Advisor, first encountered the fruits of Polia condensata (pictured) in the collection of the British Museum. More than a century after they were first collected, their colours were as vibrant as the day they were picked. It turns out that the colour vividness occurs because of the peculiar arrangement of the cellulose chains in the cell wall of the fruits, giving the fruit an intense structural colouration—one of the brightest colours of all biological materials. Many brightly coloured plants and animals, including some birds, butterflies, and beetles, evolved intricate and sometimes highly elaborate micro-scale arrangements to achieve striking colours and effects. Courtesy of Sparxell (https://sparxell.com/technology/)
