All That Glitters is Not Gold - Details

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ID:	34579
Title:	All That Glitters is Not Gold - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/science/31metal.html?_r=1&ex=1359608400&en=18e2c741e4bbe63d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Description:	In a fantastic feat of optical alchemy, scientists have managed to colorize metals using ultrashort laser bursts to mottle the surfaces of various metals, allowing them to control the way in which light is both reflected and absorbed. Each laser burst lasts only a few quadrillionths of a second and vaporizes atoms near the metal's surface. The pockmarks are imperceptible to the human touch, and the metal's surface still feels smooth, but the minuscule pits can make aluminum and platinum look like gold and can make gold appear black. A number of jewelers have already expressed interest in the colorizing technology, and developers say that the technique could eventually be used to manufacture custom-colored cars that need no paint.
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Date Added:	February 02, 2008 05:00:00 AM
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