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Researchers
have spun highly reflective fibers by layering
the right materials in plastic. The fibers
could lead to optical barcodes that can be
woven into clothes and currency. They could
eventually herald more efficient fiber-optic
communications lines.
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Light
flashes fire up nanotubes
Camera flashes have been known to trigger movie
stars' tempers. It turns out they can have a truly
incendiary effect -- on carbon nanotubes.
Quantum
force powers microslide
Scientists have found that you can get something
for nothing as long as you don't expect much. This
is because empty space is never truly empty. One
result could be a self-powered sliding motion for
microdevices.
Light
boosts plastic magnet
Using light to strengthen a plastic magnet could
lead to better and cheaper data storage devices.
The trick is being able to do it at other than ridiculously
cold temperatures.
Metal
crystals cover glass
Metal can be coaxed to form frost-like branching
patterns on non-conducting surfaces. With the right
amount of electrical current, the patterns will
fill in, leaving a mirror-smooth coating on glass,
plastic and even Teflon.
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