Bio-based optical and photonic materials: towards nature-based production methods for photonics

Nature has been a source of inspiration for the fabrication of new optical materials for centuries. During the last decades, the rapid developments in nanofabrication allowed mimicking the photonic properties of living organisms towards more efficient functional devices. But nanophotonics still relies on nanofabrication techniques and materials not compatible with the current environmental challenges. Bio-based optical materials have emerged as a sustainable alternative combining the best of both worlds: precise nanostructuring and unique optical properties with environmentally friendly natural production protocols.