Saturday, March 22, 2008

Intrinsic Metal Coloration


Scientist at the University of Rochester have used a laser to create intrinsic colors in metals. For their experiments, they have transformed aluminum to gold, blue, and a extremely pure black, among other colors. The process actually changes the surface properties of the metal, so the color will never fade. This is an extremely large break through because it allows a form of biomimicry in the way that butterflies wings color themselves. I wonder if they could to this on a woven metal textile so that you could have a super black aluminum shirt? Oh the possibilities for this are endless.

Found via Long Views
Photo credit Richard Baker, University of Rochester

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