New nanomaterial reflects, transmits light on demand
The invention, say the scientists, opens the door to many potential applications. For example, applied as an ultra-thin film on surfaces, it could be used to reflect harmful ultraviolet or infrared radiation away from astronauts or satellites in space.
In fact the material is so thin that, according to lead researcher Dr Mohsen Rahmani, hundreds of layers could fit on the tip of a needle. “Our technology,” he says, “significantly increases the resistance threshold against harmful radiation compared to today’s technologies, which rely on absorbing radiation with thick filters.”
The nanomaterial – whose surface consists of temperature controllable nanoparticles arranged in a 2D lattice – can be tailored for different light spectrums, including visible light, leading to many possible applications in smart building design and energy saving. “For instance,” says co-researcher Associate Professor Andrey Miroshnichenko, “you could have a window that can turn into a mirror in a bathroom on demand, or control the amount of light passing through your house windows in different seasons.”
The researchers say that achieving cost-efficient and confined temperature control for the material is feasible – a necessary precondition for putting the new technology to practical use. According to co-lead researcher Dr Lei Xu, “Much like your car has a series of parallel resistive wires on the back windscreen to defog the rear view, a similar arrangement could be used with our invention to confine the temperature control to a precise location.”
The research team worked on the project for two years. With the right investment, they say, their nanomaterial could see use outside the lab in two or three years.
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