25th February, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have made a breakthrough that could transform how we create colorful materials.
Inspired by how chameleons change color, they have developed a way to print multiple colors using a single ink.
● They engineer a special "bottlebrush block copolymer" ink. UV light can quickly alter this material's shape (and, therefore, the reflected color). ● By precisely controlling the light exposure, different colors can be printed from the same ink source.
● More Sustainable Printing: Eliminating the need for multiple inks could significantly reduce waste and environmental impact. ● Dynamic Materials: This technology could lead to materials that change color on demand, opening up possibilities for smart displays, sensors, and more. ● Counterfeit-Proof Products: The ability to embed complex, changeable color patterns could make it harder to copy products and documents.
This research is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize industries from manufacturing to security. The ability to print a wide range of colors with a single ink could lead to exciting new materials and applications.