Scientists have found a new way to make light bend around corners, which could help in medical imaging, electronics cooling, and designing nuclear reactors. This idea was inspired by how clouds scatter sunlight.
Daniele Faccio and his team at the University of Glasgow created objects using a special material that can bend light. When light hits this material, it travels through clear tunnels and gets scattered just like in clouds or snow. But instead of scattering randomly, the light is directed back to the tunnels by the material.
These objects work like fibre optic cables but in a different way. They boost light transmission significantly and allow light to be guided around curves. Though not as efficient as traditional fibre optics, this method is simple and cost-effective.
This light-bending technique could be used in medical imaging and engineering applications like cooling systems and nuclear reactors. Faccio believes this discovery could have been made long ago and has many practical applications.
Vocabulary List:
- Transmission /trænzˈmɪʃ.ən/ (noun): The act or process of sending or conveying something especially light or signals.
- Scattered /ˈskæt.ərd/ (verb): To distribute or spread over a wide area.
- Directed /dɪˈrɛk.tɪd/ (verb): To control the course or direction of something.
- Efficient /ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/ (adjective): Performing tasks in a well-organized and competent way minimizing waste.
- Applications /ˌæp.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃənz/ (noun): The practical use of something especially in a specific situation.
- Materials /məˈtɪə.ri.əlz/ (noun): Substances or components with certain properties used for making things.
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