The talk will explore the concept of crystals, photonic crystals, and how translational symmetry leads to distinctive responses in systems interacting with waves. Examples from nature, including beetle exoskeletons, butterfly wings, and chameleon skin, will illustrate how biological structures can inspire artificial designs using porous silicon, where porosity plays a key role in tailoring photonic behaviour. Finally, the discussion will address how this theoretical framework can help explain light harvesting in coralline algae.
