Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have developed a one-dimensional nanoscale material that can change color in response to temperature changes. The material, described as “nano-scale mood rings,” has the potential to revolutionize the way we measure temperature at the nanoscale.
Led by Professor Maxx Arguilla, the team grew crystals that resemble helical “slinkies” and discovered that their colors systematically shifted from yellow to orange depending on the temperature. By taking precise measurements of the temperature range corresponding to each color, the team found that the material can be used as a thermometer to measure temperatures ranging from -190°C to 200°C.
The breakthrough discovery has potential applications in various fields, including biology and industry. According to postdoctoral scholar Dmitri Cordova, the optical thermometers could be used to measure the temperatures and assess the efficiencies of micro- and nano-electronics, including circuits and data storage devices.
To retrieve nanoscale samples of the material, the lab used adhesive tape to transfer the structures onto transparent substrates. This allows for the creation of reusable and reconfigurable nanoscale thermometers that can be transferred onto other materials or surfaces.
While this discovery is a significant step towards developing new classes of materials for temperature measurement at the nanoscale, Arguilla notes that there is still much work to be done. His lab plans to test other nano-scale materials to see if they can develop thermometers that can measure a wider range of temperatures and explore ways to “hack” the materials design rules to make even more sensitive materials.
The study’s findings have been published in Advanced Materials and are available online.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-08-scientists-material-temperature-nanoscale.html