1.Introduction- Molding the Light
Light has several properties, namely amplitude, phase and polarization. If we are able to manipulate these properties as we like, we would have the power to control the light. Conceptually this is a simple story, but in real life we need suitable …
Human skin equivalents (HSE) are three-dimensional (3D) living models of human skin that replicate the biological properties and interactions within skin. They provide ideal testbeds for many applications such as wound healing assessment, drug assessment, etc. and are now seeing application with patients in surgical theatres. For these lab-cultured tissues to be further applicable as mainstream procedures, their mechanical and optical properties must be comparable to in vivo skin. In our lab, we are interested in studying the nexus of tissue engineering and biomedical optics to observe and compare lab synthesis to the real-world analogy. In collaboration with Dr Junaid (Aston University), we focus on understanding the propagation of light through skin from both a simulation and experimental perspective. If you’re interested in more technical details, analysis and results from a recent study can be found in Kallepalli et al. 2020.
Undoubtedly, light plays a paramount role in our day-to-day lives. It helps us with orientation, enables us to perceive our environment, and contributes significantly to a circadian rhythm. The color and intensity of light may even influence our mental state and emotions. Furthermore, it is key not only to photosynthesis in plants – one of the main mechanisms rendering possible life on Planet Earth, but also to the mating behavior of fireflies, and to the navigation of moths.
IntroductionCamouflage is a defense and survival strategy that organisms use to disguise their appearance and to blend in with their habitat, such that they can hide from predators and sneak up on prey. For example, a stick insect camouflages by having its appearance resemble a …
