Science is extraordinary. It enables us to discover something new day after day. One unlikely thing that we wouldn't expect to discover though, is a new pigment, which has been described as near-perfect blue. Take a look: |
The accidental discovery was happened upon in a laboratory at Oregon State University. Consequently, it solved a quest that has been sought after for thousands of years by the ancient Egyptians, the Han dynasty in China, the Mayan cultures and many more. In fact, much of recorded human history shows that people around the world have sought inorganic compounds that could be used to paint things blue. However, they seem to have had little success as most had environmental or durability issues. For instance, the cobalt blue color that was developed in France in the early 1800s can be carcinogenic, while Prussian blue can release cyanide. In addition, other blue pigments are not stable when exposed to heat or acidic conditions. But at the OSU, they discovered new compounds based on manganese that should address all these health and environmental concerns. A former blue pigment that doesn't quite match up: Cobalt blue Therefore, not only are they safer to produce, they are more durable and should lead to more environmentally benign blue pigments than any that have been used in the past. They can also survive at extraordinarily high temperatures and don't fade after a week in an acid bath. "Basically, this was an accidental discovery," said Mas Subramanian, the Milton Harris Professor of Materials Science in the OSU Department of Chemistry. " We were exploring manganese oxides for some interesting electronic properties they have. Our work had nothing to do with looking for a pigment. Then one day a graduate student who was working on the project was taking samples out of a very hot furnace while I was walking by, and it was blue, a very beautiful blue,” he said. “I realized immediately that something amazing had happened.” According to the researchers, what had happened was that at about 1,200°C (about 2000°F) the manganese oxide turned into a vivid blue compound that can be used to make a pigment that is able to resist both heat and acid, as well as be environmentally benign and cheap to produce from a readily available mineral. It has even been hailed as the newest and best blue pigment in world history. Another previous pigment: Cerulean blue But, what's next for this stunning shade of blue? The pigment will likely find uses in everything from inkjet printers to automobiles, fine art and also house paint. To conclude, Subramanian said that “a lot of the most interesting discoveries are not really planned. There is luck involved, but I also teach my students that you have to stay alert to recognize something when it happens, even if it isn’t what you were looking for. Luck favors the alert mind.” |
New Robots: This Robot Uses Both Wheels AND Legs
This robot can get just about anywhere in little time because it uses both wheels and legs to get over most hurdles.
This South African Plant May be the New Cannabis
Is this plant the new cannabis? What will the woolly umbrella plant do for medicine?
New Study: Are Dogs Even More Intelligent than We Thought?
New study sheds more light on canine intelligence, making some fascinating discoveries.
QUIZ: Do You Know About the Great Science Discoveries?
Take our quiz and see if you can recall the great inventions that made our lives better.
QUIZ: Do You Know About the Great Science Discoveries?
Take our quiz and see if you can recall the great inventions that made our lives better.
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
14 of the Most Fascinating Specialized Tools You'll See
We bet you haven’t seen these unique tools before!
Erecting a Behemoth: Installation of an Offshore Oilrig
How do they install an offshore oilrig? This video will show you, step by step, how it is done.
The Facts You Didn't Know About the Human Body...
Discover 120 fascinating and surprising facts about your body you may not have known. Going over most of the body parts, you will learn so much you never knew about the body we all use.
5 Robotics Trends Anticipated in 2024
What does 2024 have in store for the field of robotics?
19 Things to AVOID to Make Your Phone Live Longer
19 common mistakes we all make, that make our phones age quicker.
INTERACTIVE: How Personal Items Have Changed Over Time
Some of you will be old enough to remember what many of today's objects used to look like. Here are 20 such objects. Click to see them as they used to be.
Researchers Claim This Ingredient Can Cure Depression!
A preliminary study has suggested that magic mushrooms may be able to soothe the symptoms of depression. Read here to find out more.
How To Be Sure Your Dog Adores You
10 scientific ways to know if your dog loves you
10 Classic Paradoxes fom Philosophy, Math, and Physics
in every sphere of human knowledge, we’re bound to run into inconsistencies. That’s how fascinating paradoxes like these are born.
Are Smartphones Making Us Stupid? This Will Surprise You!
If you use a smartphone you need to see this!
The Surprisingly Convoluted History of Traffic Lights
What did the first-ever traffic light look like? Probably stranger than you imagine...
Science Lesson: How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
How laser removal of tattoos actually works. These guys are going to find out and explain it to us.
10 Fascinating Facts About the Subconscious Mind
10 facts about the way the subconscious mind works
These Things All Say Something About Your Body Or Mind
There are many things that you can determine about your body and mind just by looking at yourself. Here are 10 things that your body says about you.
What Would You Do if You Had an Extra Thumb?
This revolutionary invention has the potential to revolutionize the field of prosthetics.
Revolutionize Your Green Space: 12 Cool Garden Gadgets
Take your garden to the next level with the amazingly cool inventions and gadgets.
Get a Sense of Scale of Just How Big SpaceX's Rockets Are
SpaceX is achieving incredible things in space, however it's difficult to picture just how big their rockets are. Take a look...
Take an Incredible Tour of Our Colossal Milky Way Galaxy
Fly Through the Milky Way Galaxy!
8 Biggest Mysteries Still Surrounding the Human Body
Although modern science has revealed much about the human body, there are some things that still remain unknown. Here are the 8 biggest mysteries about it.
I Never Knew These Stunning Facts About Our Universe
If you thought you understood the universe, you'll be completely floored by this insane facts.
Ancient Skull Found In China Unlike Any Human Ever Seen
A newly-discovered skull in China had baffled scientists. This could mean we might have discovered an entirely new species of humans.
7 Weird Facts About the Human Voice That Will Surprise You
We bet you didn’t know these peculiar facts about the human voice.
TRIVIA: 25 Shocking Differences Between the Sexes
Did you know that there are some vast differences between the sexes? These 25 scientific facts will probably come as a big surprise to you, they did to me.
These Are the Miracles That Happen in Our Bodies Every Day
There is a lot that happens inside our bodies every single day. Did you know any of these facts?
These Will Give You True Perspective About Our World
Just to give you an idea of how big the Earth really is in true perspective to all the other heavenly bodies up there in the cosmos.
17 Experiments That Produced Very Bizarre Results...
Take a look at this collection of photos showing how common people performed some fascinating accidental scientific experiments.
This Giant Tank Will Unlock the Universe’s Big Mysteries
Japan is building a huge underground tank inside a mountain to help unlock the many mysteries of the universe.
Are Underwater Turbines the Answer to Our Energy Question?
One of the most promising technologies in the renewable energy market is the ocean. Learn all about it.
Is it REALLY the Coffee that Wakes Us Up in the Morning?
A recent study has revealed that the coffee you drink may just be a placebo...
10 Real-Life Technologies That Science Fiction Foretold
Sometimes even the wildest science-fiction predictions about the future come true.
These Fire Tricks Will Wow You, But Don't Try Them!
These fire tricks are incredible to look at, but please don't try this at home...
12 Earliest Versions of Tech Inventions We Use Every Day
Witness the evolution of 11 popular devices we use all the time by looking at how they all started...
Why Are Your Ears Ringing? The Causes Explained
Nearly 15% of the human population worldwide are plagued by this strange sensation, but most people don't know the causes behind ringing in the ears...
Remembering the Life and Wisdom of Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking possessed one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen, but was also impaired by a debilitating disease. Here are his life ant times.
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
How Can You Recognize a Fake Gadget Before Buying It?
More often than not, you're almost unable to recognize them. So, before purchasing the product you want to have, bear in mind the following tips:
Fascinating Science: How Old Can We Actually Get?
All things being equal, and technology continually progressing - How old can a human body really get?
Behind the Scenes of the Human-Like Atlas Robot
In this video, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the incredible Atlas robot.
The First Robot Ever Made Was Created 250 Years Ago...
This automaton is pure genius, especially when you consider it was built 250 years ago...