In 2009, the lab led by chemistry professor Mas Subramanian accidentally discovered a new pigment. In an attempt to create a material that could be useful in computers, a student mixed manganese oxide with other chemicals, heated the blend to about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius) and showed Subramanian the resulting bright blue compound. “I was really shocked,” recalls Subramanian, who had been expecting the mixture to turn black. At first, Subramanian thought the blue had resulted from an error in mixing the compound. But when he had the student repeat the experiment and the same blue substance emerged, Subramanian realized he was looking at what could be a new blue pigment.
That new inorganic compound — dubbed YInMn Blue for the yttrium, indium and manganese it contains — was in many ways superior to existing blue pigments. It had cooling properties and could deflect the sun’s heat. It was nontoxic and more stable than organic blues found in nature, such as indigo, used to dye jeans. YInMn Blue won’t fade or change color, is impervious to heat and water, and isn’t affected by acid or oil.
All this makes the pigment ideal for coloring paint, especially for exteriors. YInMn blue has since been adopted by artists for use in their works, and Subramanian says that even the Vatican looked into it as a potential pigment for restoring the Sistine Chapel.
from Houzz http://ift.tt/2ddHrWC
Advertisement
Sourced by "Home Hacks". Scouring and supporting the art of DIY home projects by sharing links and information provided by numerous active reputable DIY veterans and company's. Any projects you start please be of proper age, follow all required safety measures, and use the required protective equipment when handling any chemicals, power tools, or during any construction project. If you need advice regarding your next project we suggest visiting Contractor Talk.
