Carbon Nanotube Coatings Can Hide 3D Attributes - University Of Michigan
Paving way to many speculations, research team at University of Michigan have developed a #-Link-Snipped-# coating that can absorb light, #-Link-Snipped-# in a plane! Interestingly, the invisible object will be able to cast its shadow when it is not backed by a black background.
Carbon nanotube coating as we all know has inherent light absorbing properties. This is well utilized in the latest research by Prof. Jay Guo, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University Of Michigan. The coating however in practical demonstration can be utilized in Physics only with some assumptions which pertain to the principles of how we see with our eyes. The research was aimed at developing a coating which can hide the physical attributes of any body. It is presented in the current issue of #-Link-Snipped-# titled #-Link-Snipped-#, the future applications of which are touted to be many and varied.
#-Link-Snipped-#
Image Credit: Vancouver Moose
In an attempt to achieve this, the team experimented with a silicon chip. In this experiment, Guo and his team made a platform of microscopic tank shaped object on the chip. Then they coated it with carbon nanotubes. When observed with an optical microscope, the 3D aspects could not be deciphered properly in other words they were invisible. On the other hand when similar experiment was repeated without the #-Link-Snipped-# coatings the rectangle which was carved on the silicon chip remained visible.
To explain the phenomenon simply, human eyes can see any object only when light is reflected from it and the radiations enters the retina. However if the light is absorbed then we will have an illusion as if nothing is present. In carbon nanotube experiment, 99.99% of light can be absorbed. However the object is not made completely invisible as the object is able to cast its shadow. Here the researchers made the refractive index of the body same as that of the air.
Discussing the applications, the research opens up a wide range of possibilities presented before science today. One of them is that the #-Link-Snipped-# which scientists are searching is perhaps present in the universe only veiled by a gas made up carbon nanotubes which absorbs light. Hence lies undetected.
Another one is in the stealth technology adopted by many #-Link-Snipped-#. In present era, we employ paints or take the help of shapes so that the radar should not detect the aircraft. If the aircrafts are covered with the carbon nanotube coating, then it can absorb the emitted radiations. Even now, the absorption range of the coating is very wide with only exclusions are the gamma rays and the X-rays.
The experiments on potential applications of carbon nanotubes are a top priority in the scientific community these days. The carbon and its micro-features are a solution to many of the questions that have riddled humanity. The applications hence developed are very important. After all, carbon nanotubes have made us invisible to light!
Carbon nanotube coating as we all know has inherent light absorbing properties. This is well utilized in the latest research by Prof. Jay Guo, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University Of Michigan. The coating however in practical demonstration can be utilized in Physics only with some assumptions which pertain to the principles of how we see with our eyes. The research was aimed at developing a coating which can hide the physical attributes of any body. It is presented in the current issue of #-Link-Snipped-# titled #-Link-Snipped-#, the future applications of which are touted to be many and varied.
#-Link-Snipped-#
Image Credit: Vancouver Moose
In an attempt to achieve this, the team experimented with a silicon chip. In this experiment, Guo and his team made a platform of microscopic tank shaped object on the chip. Then they coated it with carbon nanotubes. When observed with an optical microscope, the 3D aspects could not be deciphered properly in other words they were invisible. On the other hand when similar experiment was repeated without the #-Link-Snipped-# coatings the rectangle which was carved on the silicon chip remained visible.
To explain the phenomenon simply, human eyes can see any object only when light is reflected from it and the radiations enters the retina. However if the light is absorbed then we will have an illusion as if nothing is present. In carbon nanotube experiment, 99.99% of light can be absorbed. However the object is not made completely invisible as the object is able to cast its shadow. Here the researchers made the refractive index of the body same as that of the air.
Discussing the applications, the research opens up a wide range of possibilities presented before science today. One of them is that the #-Link-Snipped-# which scientists are searching is perhaps present in the universe only veiled by a gas made up carbon nanotubes which absorbs light. Hence lies undetected.
Another one is in the stealth technology adopted by many #-Link-Snipped-#. In present era, we employ paints or take the help of shapes so that the radar should not detect the aircraft. If the aircrafts are covered with the carbon nanotube coating, then it can absorb the emitted radiations. Even now, the absorption range of the coating is very wide with only exclusions are the gamma rays and the X-rays.
The experiments on potential applications of carbon nanotubes are a top priority in the scientific community these days. The carbon and its micro-features are a solution to many of the questions that have riddled humanity. The applications hence developed are very important. After all, carbon nanotubes have made us invisible to light!
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