Scientists have created the lightest paint ever made, called plasmonic paint. The paint is inspired by butterfly wings! In addition, it is made of nanoparticles of two colourless materials, aluminium and aluminium oxide.

They are arranged in a way that creates colour structurally. This means that the paint reflects the entire infrared spectrum. This results in keeping structures cooler, and absorbing less heat.

Important Details

• The plasmonic paint is also the lightest paint created to date.
• According to the makers, it would only take 3 pounds of plasmonic paint to cover a Boeing 747.
• On the other hand, it would take at least 1,000 pounds of conventional commercial paint.
• The paint also lasts for centuries and can significantly reduce the number of greenhouse gases required for flight.
• The researchers created the paint using an electron beam evaporator.
• It allows small clusters of aluminium nanoparticles to self-assemble in different colours.
• Further, the researchers combined the structural colour flakes with a commercial binder.
• This technique ensures that the paint lasts longer.
• The paint can also help to keep surfaces up to 16 degrees Celsius cooler than regular commercial paint.
• Although the paint has only been created in the lab, the researchers are working to scale up the process and make it available to the public.

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Watch a video

The Youtube Channel “IOX” shares a short listicle on the super light paint.

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