ABSTRACT
Bioinspired materials provide new material designs that are different from those of advanced engineering materials. This chapter introduces the use of two types of insects, the Saharan silver ant and the morpho butterfly, and diatom frustules in thermal management applications. Thermal conduction is a fundamental factor in thermal transfer when solids have a heat gradient. In thermal management applications, thermal detection and imaging are also important subjects in resolving energy and environment problems. The unique nanostructures of morpho butterfly wings combined with engineered nanomaterials have great potential for thermal management applications and developing novel functionalizations. Diatom frustules were obtained from Fistulifera solaris using thermal and acid treatments. The thermal analysis results show an increase in the temperature increase rate with the adsorption of water vapor, independent of the treatment method. The adsorption of water vapor from the ambient atmosphere without the need for additional energy into the mesopores of diatom frustules enhances the thermal transfer properties.
