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Laser Turns All Metals Black

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bzoooom-whaaaawwwww dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Researchers at the University of Rochester have found a way to change the properties of almost any metal by using a femtosecond laser pulse. This ultra-intense laser blast creates true 'black metal' from copper, gold or zinc by forming nanostructures at the surface of the metal. As these nanostructures capture radiation, the metals turn black. And as the process needs surprisingly low power, it could soon be used for a variety of applications, such as stealth planes, black jewels or car paintings. But read more for additional references and a picture of this femtosecond laser system."

11 of 333 comments (clear)

  1. Picture by duguk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Picture can be found here

    I really should just go to bed...

    DugUK

  2. black by Feyr · · Score: 5, Funny

    a black engagement ring? perfect for your goth bride! Buy One Now!

  3. Re:anything special? by chill · · Score: 5, Funny

    The treated metal absorbs all incoming radiation, such as microwaves and lasers.

    Hint: Think "perfect stealth", not only for planes, but for your car as well. Make that cop toting the radar gun go insane.

    --
    Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
  4. Meh by LoRdTAW · · Score: 5, Funny

    We all know that true black metal is Mayhem.

  5. Space-age technology! by shadow+demon · · Score: 5, Funny
    "It's the wild colour scheme that freaks me," said Zaphod whose love affair with this ship had lasted almost three minutes into the flight, "every time you try to operate one of these weird black controls that are labelled in black on a black background, a little black light lights up black to let you know you've done it. What is this? Some kind of galactic hyperhearse?"

    The walls of the swaying cabin were also black, the ceiling was black, the seats-which were rudimentary since the only important trip this ship was designed for was supposed to be unmanned-were black, the control panel was black, the instruments were black, the little screws that held them in place were black, the thin tufted nylon floor covering was black, and when they had lifted up a corner of it they had discovered that the foam underlay also was black."

    *bows to Mr Adams*

  6. black... by yakumo.unr · · Score: 5, Funny

    black is the new gold.

    (and silver, and bronze..)

  7. Re:anything special? by diersing · · Score: 5, Funny

    Awesome! What colors are available?

  8. Re:anything special? by notthe9 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Any color you want, so long as it's black.

  9. Re:anything special? by Headcase88 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good for stuntships that only go on one un-manned mission to explode into a sun. As long as you don't mind everything being completely black.

    --
    "When the atomic bomb goes off there's devastation...but when the atomic bong goes off there's celebraaaaation!"
  10. That's not all by Centurix · · Score: 5, Funny

    They found on the way that by using a nanosecond laser they produced Emo metal, which can cut itself.

    --
    Task Mangler
  11. Re:anything special? by MagusSlurpy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes. The nanostructures formed by the laser give the metals much more surface area, thereby enabling a catalytic effect. Expect to see this played with much more in inorganic and organometallic labs very soon.

    --
    My sister opened a computer store in Hawaii. She sells C shells by the seashore.