ABSTRACT
Katharine Blodgett, whose name is associated with Irvin Langmuir’s name for Langmuir–Blodgett (L–B) films, which are ordered molecular layers of amphiphilic molecules adsorbed on a solid surface, had a peculiar life. In particular, she showed an instrument with a glass dial illuminated by a stream of light, only half of which was treated with a L–B coating. Moreover, it is remarkable that by controlling the surface treatment of latexes it is possible to produce paints that allow water to pass through or others that are waterproof. The emulsification of a mixture of surfactants, water, and monomers allows the insoluble monomers to form droplets. A physicochemical characterization of the multilayer structure of its scales reveals a low contact angle, thus an ability for water to adsorb and then infiltrate. All the natural observations inspired chemists who wanted to create iridescent materials by inclusion of photonic structures.
