Chinese and Australian scientists have developed nano optical materials for temperature control

Australian National University recently announced that the school and Nankai University jointly developed a new type of temperature control nano materials. This material has great potential for energy saving.

The new nano material is very thin, researchers say.  It is only a few hundredths of the thickness of a common hair. It consists of a number of nanoparticles that are designed and arranged in certain sizes. The size of these nanoparticles and the wavelength of light are in the same order of magnitude, which can then resonate with light. This characteristic can be used to control the propagation path and characteristics of light.

This study started from changes of nano particle refractive index and temperature relationship. When the temperature is changed, the refractive index of the nanoparticles changes, thus regulating and controlling the optical properties and functions of the nanomaterials. The research papers are published in the latest issue.

Xu Lei, one of the leading researchers and postdoctoral fellow of Australian National University, told Xinhua that the principle of temperature regulation is similar to that of the glass after the anti fogging of the glass. It is through some micro heating element of the nano material local heating. In addition it also can realize the process of heating by laser irradiation etc..

Another leading researcher, Mohsen Rahmany, a postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Australia, says that this nanostructure has great potential for energy conservation. For example, it can be integrated into the house window to control the sunlight energy entering the room according to the seasonal change.

In addition, the optical material can be shielded from UV to infra-red radiation by reflecting light wavelengths.The nanometer material is light and convenient, and it is easy to combine with various instruments or equipment.For example, it can be integrated into current microsatellites, which can effectively block light waves from UV to infrared and extend satellite service life.

By designing the size and alignment of nanoparticles, the nanomaterials can also be used to screen various noises. It can improve the quality of various scientific experiments.

In recent years, nano optics, as a new research field, has aroused extensive research in the world, and has become one of the most promising research areas. Nano optics mainly realizes the manipulation of light through the interaction between electromagnetic field and nanoparticles. Nano optics has an important application prospect in efficient information processing and storage, optical calculation, super-resolution imaging, biological sensing and treatment, etc..