For a rising star in higher education, nature’s vibrant colors inspire bright ideas

Vibrant colors that took millions of years to evolve, such as those on butterfly wings, are inspiring a Clemson University researcher to explore how they could one day save energy, improve digital displays and inspire new materials.

Daljit Singh Dhillon, an assistant professor in the School of Computing, has received a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to pursue his ideas.

“I feel supercharged to take this on,” Dhillon said. “This is my best chance to bring a lot of ideas I’ve been developing to materialization, and I want to leave no stone unturned. It’s time to get to work.”

At the heart of his research is what researchers call structural coloration– color that results from underlying microscopic and nanoscopic patterns that scatter light in precise ways.

Those natural designs can produce shimmering blues, deep blacks and colors invisible to some predators. Dhillon aims to capture how light interacts with those tiny structures and make it possible to digitally reproduce and manufacture similar effects efficiently.

The computational framework he proposes could lay the groundwork for improvements in energy-efficient digital displays by harvesting and reshaping ambient light, reducing the need for electricity to power screens and signs.

It could also inspire designs for secure communication systems that embed hidden information in colorful patterns revealed only with the right optical “key.” And it opens new possibilities for creating realistic visual effects in movies and games, as well as new sensors and biomedical imaging techniques.

The CAREER Award is considered an indicator of leadership potential and marks Dhillon as a rising star in higher education.

The award also includes an educational component aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Dhillon will partner with nearby schools to launch a Visual Computing Club at the high school level, giving students hands-on exposure to STEM topics such as optics and computer graphics.

Through sustained engagement and mentoring, he hopes to help young people better understand the field and decide whether it’s the right path for them before they commit to a college major.

“This is about showing students what’s really at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “We want to inspire them with science, but also prepare them for what it takes to bring ideas into reality.”

Among those congratulating Dhillon on his award was Brian Dean, the C. Tycho Howle Director of the School of Computing.

“This award reflects both Dr. Dhillon’s creativity and his potential as a leader in his field,” Dean said. “It’s inspiring to see our faculty pushing the boundaries of research and creating the next generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.”