Updated July 05, 2017 11:57:18 <\/p>\n
Imagine a window that could instantly turn into mirror the possibility is real, thanks to a breakthrough in nanotechnology by researchers at the Australian National University (ANU). <\/p>\n
They have developed a material that promises to protect astronauts from harmful radiation, as well as practical uses closer to home. <\/p>\n
ANU researchers have dubbed their invention a \"smart mirror\", and all that is needed for it to change is an adjustment to its temperature. <\/p>\n
\"Our smart mirror consists of lots of dielectric nanoparticles which are carefully designed and arranged within a single layer,\" ANU lead researcher Dr Mohsen Rahmani said. <\/p>\n
The layer of nanoparticles are spread so thin that they are just 0.00005 of a millimetre apart. <\/p>\n
\"Today's technology, all optical silicates consist of the elements that work statically,\" Dr Rahmani said. <\/p>\n
\"Which means they either transmit the light or reflect the light, or something in between.\" <\/p>\n
Until now, optical silicates have only achieved one function. <\/p>\n
But with a switch in heat, this new one promises to transform to either absorb, reflect or emit light and radiation. <\/p>\n
\"By our technology, for the first time you can have a single element which can have all those functions at the same time, and you can control the light passing through or reflects,\" Dr Rahmani said. <\/p>\n
Dr Rahmani said the film was thin enough to coat a pin head hundreds of times, and could be applied to any surface like a spacesuit. <\/p>\n
\"By adjusting the temperature of that thin layer, we are able to control the optical properties of those nanoparticles,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"So that the entire surface can either transmit or reflect the incoming light on demand.\" <\/p>\n
One of the major problems involved with prolonged space travel is exposure to cosmic radiation. <\/p>\n
Currently thick filter panels are needed to protect both space craft and astronauts. <\/p>\n
\"As we know, the temperature in space varies a lot,\" Dr Rahmani said. <\/p>\n
\"Just imagine we can have a smart mirror which can reflect different frequencies at different temperature. <\/p>\n
\"It can give a great platform to protect the devices or astronauts in different environments in the space.\" <\/p>\n
Sending people into space has seen the creation of a number of innovations and inventions now used in daily life memory foam, quick-dry anti-rust paint, water filters, and some bulletproof fabrics all came from the space race. <\/p>\n
And just like those innovations initially designed for space travel, this one also has useful applications on Earth. <\/p>\n
Just like a car's back window has wires running through it to defog it with a change in heat, a similar system has been proposed to control the temperature in the new film, switching clear glass to a mirror or an illuminated panel. <\/p>\n
\"The principle is quite extendable to other frequencies as well,\" co-researcher and associate professor Andrey Miroshnichenko said. <\/p>\n
\"Including visible, which opens [a] whole range of new types of application, including architectural ones. <\/p>\n
\"Where for example, your window becomes a mirror.\" <\/p>\n
With mirrors switching to light panels, the ANU team said the technology also promises to save energy. <\/p>\n
Topics: science-and-technology, nanotechnology, research, australia, australian-national-university-0200 <\/p>\n
First posted July 05, 2017 11:42:49 <\/p>\n
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