Nanotechnology Now |
Home > Press > Transparent material breakthrough: One of Time magazine's 'Best Inventions of 2011'
Abstract:
A program co-funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) was chosen by Time Magazine for its List of Best Inventions of 2011.
Transparent material breakthrough: One of Time magazine's 'Best Inventions of 2011'
Arlington, VA | Posted on November 21st, 2011Drs Ali Aliev, Yuri Gartstein and Ray Baughman, of the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), have succeeded in producing what is technically referred to as the "mirage effect from thermally modulated transparent carbon nanotube sheets," or, as some in the popular press have termed it: an 'invisibility cloak'."
The key to this breakthrough are carbon nanotubes—the successful result of another ongoing AFOSR-funded UTD program—that have the ability to disappear when rapidly heated. In reality, this effect is due to photothermal deflection, or a mirage effect, quite similar to what a driver may experience when a highway in the distance becomes so hot that a section of the road may look like a pool of water. This is due to the bending of the light around the hot road surface wherein the driver actually sees the reflected sky in place of the pavement. The carbon nanotubes create much the same effect when heated.
AFOSR funding for this program was critical in enabling nanotube sheet fabrication which offers key advantages for photothermal deflection which permits the transparency effect to take place. This unique characteristic of nanotube sheets may one day result in applications such as photo-deflectors and for switchable transparency materials, as well as their use as thermoacoustic projectors and sonar.
####
About Air Force Office of Scientific Research
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research, located in Arlington, Virginia, continues to expand the horizon of scientific knowledge through its leadership and management of the Air Force's basic research program. As a vital component of the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFOSR's mission is to discover, shape and champion basic science that profoundly impacts the future Air Force.
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Robert P. White
703-588-0665
Copyright © Air Force Office of Scientific Research
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
News and information
JPK reports on single molecule research at IISER Pune in India using AFM and CellHesion techniques May 21st, 2013
International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
New Nanopore Sensor Simplifies Analysis of Methylated DNA May 20th, 2013
Penn engineers' nanoantennas improve infrared sensing May 20th, 2013
Researchers Perform Fastest Measurements Ever Made of Ion Channel Proteins May 20th, 2013
Nanotubes/Buckyballs
Development know-how is made available to collaboration partners: Bayer MaterialScience brings nano projects to a close May 8th, 2013
Next-generation transistor outperforms other carbon-based designs May 7th, 2013
Discoveries
How Gold Nanoparticles Can Help Fight Ovarian Cancer May 21st, 2013
Study Led by George Washington University Professor Provides Better Understanding of Water’s Freezing Behavior at Nanoscale May 21st, 2013
Materials
INSCX™ exchange announces substantial increase in capital designated to provide Trade Finance for registered Nanomaterial Producers May 21st, 2013
International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013
Kinks and curves at the nanoscale: New research shows 'perfect twin boundaries' are not so perfect May 20th, 2013
Advancements and developments of solid-state nanopores sensors May 16th, 2013
Announcements
JPK reports on single molecule research at IISER Pune in India using AFM and CellHesion techniques May 21st, 2013
International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013
Military
Using clay to grow bone: Researchers use synthetic silicate to stimulate stem cells into bone cells May 15th, 2013
Grants/Awards/Scholarships/Gifts/Contests/Honors/Records
Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013
Add boron for better batteries: Rice University theorists say graphene-boron mix shows promise for lithium-ion batteries May 17th, 2013
Nanotechnology Pioneer Named 'Entrepreneur of the Year': Royal Society of Chemistry honors Chad Mirkin for commercializing innovations May 10th, 2013
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
University Technology Transfer & Patents
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||
abbigliamento uomo
Computer Accessories
| © Copyright 1999-2013 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved | PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE |