Objective The physical explanation of the extraordinary appearances of many living entities faces complexity. Using a combination of microscopy techniques, we wish to develop knowledge of the micro- and nano-morphology of specific bio-organisms, selected for their particular ability to use light scattering as part of their living mechanisms.This knowledge will be complemented by the precise characterization of the light filtering functions of the structurated organs, making use of micrometer-resolved spectrophotome tric and thermal exchange measurements. The relation between these and the optical density will be consolidated by large-scale numerical simulations.On the other hand, the targeted organisms will be studied from the point of view of ecological and phenological history. In particular, closely related, or competing species will be designated for further physical examinations. Interdisciplinary exchanges, including, when available, paleontological data, will attempt to determine whether the optical scattering mechanisms constitutes a possible evolutive advantage which could explain the permanence of the bio-organism in its ecosystem.With regard to the problem of complexity, different methods will need to be developed at each stage of the investigation. The study of the bio-organism in its environment, eventually at different evolutionary epochs, will require an analysis of a large number of interactions and dependencies among living populations; the experimental and theoretical study of the light-filtering functions will also cope with complexity, as it requires to account for a multi-dimensional hierarchical data set, including the knowledge of reflection, absorption and, polarization changes as a function of frequency, incidence and emergence angles, at various points of the bio-organism surface. The understanding of such hierarchical assemblies of elements with several length-scales is expected to provide guidance for the design of synthetic structures Fields of science humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistorynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems Programme(s) FP6-POLICIES - Policy support: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) NEST-2003-1 - Adventure activities Call for proposal FP6-2003-NEST-A See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator FACULTES UNIVERSITAIRES NOTRE-DAME DE LA PAIX DE NAMUR EU contribution No data Address Rue de Bruxelles 61 NAMUR Belgium See on map Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all HUNGARIAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Hungary EU contribution No data Address Baross U. 13 BUDAPEST See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR TECHNICAL PHYSICS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE - HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Hungary EU contribution No data Address KONKOLY THEGE UT 29-33 BUDAPEST See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Cromwell Road LONDON See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITE PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE - PARIS 6 France EU contribution No data Address Place JUSSIEU 4 PARIS See on map Total cost No data
