Chinese lab has developed a tiny artificial black hole. It consists of 60 cylindric rings that pull light in by converting it in heat. Researchers Qiang Chen and Tie Jun Cui of Southeast University in Nanjing, China--the creators--claim this device could be of tremendous use for the development of invisibility carpets’ and super-clear lenses, as well as the innovation of solar panels.
Though the term 'black hole' brings back memories of bad hollywood movies with dreadful visual effects, this breakthrough in science could prove to be of some use during our times of climate disaster and newborn ecological conscience.
Remember when everyone was terrified at the idea of CERN recreating the Big Bang and thus exposing the Earth to several tiny--but deadly--black holes? Well that time is long gone, and now black holes have become the new hip thing in the world of science.
Rather than relying on gravity, this black hole uses a series of metallic ‘resonators’ arranged in 60 concentric circles. The resonators affect the electric and magnetic fields of a passing light wave, causing it to bend towards the centre of the hole. It spirals closer and closer to the black hole’s ‘core’ until it reaches the 20 innermost layers. Those layers are made of another set of resonators that convert light into heat. The result: what goes in cannot come out. “The light into the core is totally absorbed.
Farrier, John. "Scientists Create Pocket-Sized Black Hole." Neatorama (2009): n. pag. Web. 27 Oct 2009. .
Fox, Stuart. "Artificial Black Hole Created in Chinese Lab." Popsci (2009): n. pag. Web. 27 Oct 2009. .
