Magnetic Microhairs Could Lead to Smarter Windows

Magnetic Microhairs Could Lead to Smarter Windows
Aug-11-14
Researchers at MIT have created a new material coated with microscopic hairs that can be triggered to direct the flow of liquid—even against gravity.

The microhairs, made of nickel and each about one-fourth the diameter of a human hair, are used to line a layer of transparent, flexible silicon. Applying a magnetic field to one side of the arrangement will cause all the hairs to bend at the same time, and varying the strength of the magnetic field will alter the amount of bend.

This magnetic response can be used to control how much light passes through the material—much like window blinds—as well the direction of fluid flow (the droplets prefer to roll in the direction the hairs point). This in turn could lead to 'smart' windows able to filter the sun and shed raindrops.



More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[MIT.EDU]
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