Patent ID: 11885929
Assignee: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  B | IPC B  G

Claim 17:
18. A method of forming a hierarchical opal, the method comprising:
a) applying a silk fibroin solution to a lattice comprising a plurality of particles such that the silk fibroin solution fills voids between the plurality of particles;
b) drying the silk fibroin solution into a composite material including the hierarchical opal and the plurality of particles;
c) removing the plurality of particles to form the hierarchical opal comprising nanoscale periodic cavities separated by a lattice constant; and
d) applying an aqueous solution to a surface of the hierarchical opal in a patterned formation, wherein the aqueous solution alters the lattice constant of the nanoscale periodic cavities located in the patterned formation to generate grooves across the surface of the hierarchical opal.