Kaleidoscope
Why do butterfly wings stay bright for centuries? Discover the science of structural colour and how researchers and artists turned it into an interactive Festival of the Mind installation.
Why are butterfly wings so colourful, and how can their brilliant blues stay bright for hundreds of years without fading?
The secret lies in something called structural colour. Rather than relying on pigments, butterflies have tiny structures in their wing scales that reflect light to create stunning colours and patterns. But how does this work, and what can scientists learn from nature?
In this Festival of the Mind podcast, University of Sheffield researchers Dr Andrew Parnell and Dr Nicola Nadeau join Sheffield artist Paul Evans to explore the science behind butterfly wings and the fascinating relationship between art, biology and physics.
They also discuss Kaleidoscope, an interactive art installation that brings butterflies to life through digital technology. Visitors can design their own colourful butterfly and watch it join a virtual flock, while exploring real butterfly specimens and discovering the science behind their wings.
Listen to discover how butterflies create their remarkable colours, why these tiny insects continue to fascinate scientists and how art can help us see the natural world in a different way.
Credits
- Researcher: Dr Andrew Parnell (Lecturer in Soft Matter & Biological Physics at the University of Sheffield)
- Researcher: Dr Nicola Nadeau (Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield)
- Artist: Paul Evans
- Podcast Recording & Editing: Kitty Turner
- Podcast Producer: David Heath (Digital Engagement Officer at the University of Sheffield)
