Turn transparent gold nanoparticles into mirrors that reflect only one current

Researchers at Imperial College London have created a device made of self-assembling nanoparticles that can be transparent or reflective of images depending on the user's decision. . This great success will open the door - or in this case windows - to apply nanotechnology to everyday life.

So far, this is still a small challenge, because changing the nature of matter requires a precision in controlling and controlling micro particles at the nanoscale.

The gold nanoparticle can turn into a mirror and return to the transparent state.

Specifically, in this case, they need to create a layer of gold nanoparticles of precise size, a few thousand times smaller than a human hair. In order to create that golden layer, they put together golden particles between two layers of insoluble solutions. Gold is sandwiched between two layers of water like a sandwich.

When a small voltage is applied to the combination of these two solutions and the gold layer, scientists can change the distance between the gold nanoparticles. When they close together, they will turn into a mirror layer that can reflect light at any wavelength. When gold nanoparticles disperse, they become a transparent sheet that allows everything to pass through.

Scientists can change the distance between gold nanoparticles.

'It is indeed a great balance - it has been a long time since we were able to assemble only one lump of nanoparticles, but there has never been such a precision,' said Joshua Edel, professor. chemistry at the Royal University of London said.

This is not the first time we can change the density of particles in a layer of nanoparticles, but this is the first time we can convert that nanoscale state from transparent to reflective, and vice versa. . Without the impact of electricity, we can see through the coin below, as the experiment in the clip above shows.

Scientists can use it to create special filters for telescopes.

This nano-membrane is still in the testing phase, but it has shown its great potential. Scientists can use it to create special filters for telescopes, for example, allowing only certain wavelengths to pass through, or developing precise chemical sensors.

The application of science is endless, and we have not yet discovered the deep 'valley' of current science.