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Argonne Lab Grows Chia Pet Style Hairy Electronic Fibers

coondoggie writes "Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory say they have created 'hairy' electronic materials that grow like Chia pets. The Argonne researchers said they are interested in the tiny fibers for use in technologies like batteries, photovoltaic cells or sensors. '"Hairy" materials offer up a lot of surface area. Many chemical reactions depend on two surfaces making contact with one another, so a structure that exposes a lot of surface area will speed the process along. (For example, grinding coffee beans gives the coffee more flavor than soaking whole beans in water.) Micro-size hairs can also make a surface that repels water, called superhydrophobic, or dust,' the researchers said in a statement."

11 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Please don't grind my coffee with this... by TWX · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    ...I really don't like hair in my food or beverages, and it'd be a lot harder to send it back than finding a hair in an omelet or some other food...

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    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  2. Morgellon's? by Gothmolly · · Score: 1

    Great, wait until the Morgellon's people hear about this.

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  3. I need it now! by grumpyman · · Score: 1

    Coffee-flavored hair? I don't care, just plug this thing on my scalp!

    1. Re:I need it now! by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      Here you go, caffeine shampoo: http://www.alpecin.com/caffein...

      It's not just for breakfast any more . . .

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      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  4. Ch-ch-ch-chia!!! by sconeu · · Score: 1

    Now the new Chia Circuit Board! Just soak it in water, paint on the seeds, and watch your brand new ARM computer grow!!!!

    Also available, Chia Steve Ballmer!!!!

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    General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
  5. This will be a hot item next Christmas by ackthpt · · Score: 1

    I can see the television ads already...

    Yes! You too can grow hairy electronic materials in your own home! Amaze your friends and neighbors! Makes a great gift for anybody in the family! Act now, limited supply!

    And at some point we'll find these become Triffids, but only when it's too late.

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    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  6. the first step by slick7 · · Score: 1

    Is this the beginning of fuzzy logic?

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    The mind conceives, the body achieves, the spirit manifests.
  7. Article's opinion of their target audience... by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

    Non-clickable image of actual microscopic filaments: 188x187 pixels
    YouTube video of chia pet commercial: 640x360 pixels

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    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  8. Re:Stupid Title by Nexus7 · · Score: 1

    Agreed.

    I mean, what does this mean, "... Micro-size hairs can also make a surface that repels water, called superhydrophobic, or dust,' the researchers said in a statement."

    Does it mean they can repel water and dust, or they can repel water, dust, and something called "called superhydrophobic"? And if the clause "called superhydrophobic" is explaining water repulsion, then why isn't it just hydrophobic, but instead a super version?

  9. Re:Epic fail... Americans... by Nexus7 · · Score: 1

    Do they mean water and dust, or just water or dust at one time, but not both simultaneously?

  10. prior art exists by swschrad · · Score: 1

    two words: tin whiskers.

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