Content provided in partnership with

Golden touch

Science World, April 21, 2008 by Dan Risch

With the touch of a button, scientists can make shiny gray aluminum appear gold, blue, or even black. Researchers at the University of Rochester in New York recently discovered that blasting metals with an ultrapowerful laser could change the color of the metal.

Physicists Chunlei Guo and Anatoliy Vorobyev used the device's intense light pulse to rearrange atoms (the smallest units of matter) on metals' surfaces. This changed the way the metals absorbed and reflected different wavelengths (distance between wave crests) of light. The light waves that bounce off an object are the ones our eyes detect as color.

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Most Popular Articles in Reference: The importance of understanding organizational culture; Credit card attitudes and behaviors of college students; What factors attract foreign direct investment?; Libraries Need Relationship Marketing - mutual interest marketing concept, ...; How to set performance goals: employee reviews are more than annual critiques; More »

Jewelers are knocking at the researchers' door: They want to turn gold rings black. It may be the next accessory fad.

Golden touch

Science World, April 21, 2008 by Dan Risch

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Reference

Most Popular Publications in Reference