In Biointerphases, a Hiroshima University researcher closely examines the light-emitting organ in a bioluminescent deep-sea fish to reveal layers of guanine platelets that do more than just reflect the light -- they scatter the light in complex ways. The platelets are needle-shaped and clustered locally around the light organs, and when light hits the guanine crystals, their shape causes light scattering. Knowing this could provide insights into highly efficient biomimetic designs that maximize and recycle leaked light.Microcrystals in Bioluminescent Fish Scatter Light Like a Prism
May 26, 2026
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In Biointerphases, a Hiroshima University researcher closely examines the light-emitting organ in a bioluminescent deep-sea fish to reveal layers of guanine platelets that do more than just reflect the light -- they scatter the light in complex ways. The platelets are needle-shaped and clustered locally around the light organs, and when light hits the guanine crystals, their shape causes light scattering. Knowing this could provide insights into highly efficient biomimetic designs that maximize and recycle leaked light.
