14 DAY TRIAL // For nanoparticles this time though. Researchers from the Carnegie Mellon University's Material Science and Engineering and Chemistry have succeeded in partially cloaking nanoparticles by 'shrinking' their visible size without affecting the physical dimension of the particle. The study was conducted by Michael Bockstaller and Krzysztof Matyjaszewski.
In a press statement, Bockstaller says that the team has been trying to create a new technique to control the architecture of nanoparticles which would resolve the problems related to the applications that use such materials, such as the aerospace and cosmetics industry. Bockstaller is an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the Carnegie Mellon University.
Nanoparticles are largely used in colloidal substances, which in turn have multiple applications as additives in current material technologies, to enhance the strength and wear resistance or other material properties. Usually, light scattering within colloidal substances is determined by the simple presence of nonaparticles, giving them a undesirable whitish milky look. The new study, on the other hand, has succeeded in removing this problem by attaching polymers on the surface of the nanoparticles forming the colloidal substance.
Co-author of the study, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, J.C. Warner University Professor of Natural Sciences in the Department of Chemistry says that, basically, they had to initiate a project in which the team had to learn most techniques related to density control, compositions and the size of the polymers attached to the surface of a nanoparticle of inorganic material, in order to enhance the optical properties of the polymer composites. By doing so, less light is scattered on the nanoparticles, resulting in a much freer flow of light, thus enhanced transparency.
The newly harnessed properties could be used to modify a broad range of materials that combine strength, durability and a many other useful physical properties, with optical transparency.