Paramagnetic paint changes color at the touch of a button

SUBMAN1 · 11-09-07, 05:10 PM

Posted on Wednesday 7 November 2007

One of the hardest decisions when picking a new car is choosing the right color but the day when cars will be available in multiple colors could be here sooner than you think. Scientists have developed a new coating called ‘paramagnetic’ paint that has the ability to change colors at the touch of a button. One carmaker looking into the technology is Nissan, which has already developed a self-healing paint.

Before the vehicle is painted, a special polymer containing the special ‘paramagnetic’ iron oxide particles is applied to the car’s body. An applied electric current then adjusts the spacing of small crystals within the iron oxide particles and therefore affects their ability to reflect light and change color.

The process is perfect for metal objects like cars because a continuous small current is needed to maintain the desired color. When the vehicle is switched off, the car returns to a default color of white.

The coating has the ability to reproduce any color visible to the human eye and it takes less than a second to change the entire car. The first commercial applications could be on the market as early as 2010.

baggygreen · 11-09-07, 07:15 PM

This could tie in nicely with the thread about the invisible tank...

make identifying a vehicle a nightmare for coppers in a chase tho!

Chock · 11-09-07, 07:28 PM

I can't wait to see all the kids writing 'bollox' on these things with a magnet:rotfl:

Chock

TteFAboB · 11-09-07, 07:39 PM

And the tuners who will start pumping out blinking versions that'll make you dizzy, increasing crashes by the million.

elite_hunter_sh3 · 11-09-07, 08:43 PM

Nissan GTR

Syxx_Killer · 11-09-07, 10:21 PM

I think it is a cool idea except for the white default color. I don't care much for white, and I certainly wouldn't want to look at my "white" car when parked.

SUBMAN1 · 11-09-07, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elite_hunter_sh3

Nissan GTR

Don't get too excited - it's Japanese / Asian. They are only known for copying product.

-S

XabbaRus · 11-10-07, 04:03 AM

Hey this is old, Terra Hawks had a car like this in the 80's

That is cool though.

11-09-07, 05:10 PM	#1
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Paramagnetic paint changes color at the touch of a button Posted on Wednesday 7 November 2007 One of the hardest decisions when picking a new car is choosing the right color but the day when cars will be available in multiple colors could be here sooner than you think. Scientists have developed a new coating called ‘paramagnetic’ paint that has the ability to change colors at the touch of a button. One carmaker looking into the technology is Nissan, which has already developed a self-healing paint. Before the vehicle is painted, a special polymer containing the special ‘paramagnetic’ iron oxide particles is applied to the car’s body. An applied electric current then adjusts the spacing of small crystals within the iron oxide particles and therefore affects their ability to reflect light and change color. The process is perfect for metal objects like cars because a continuous small current is needed to maintain the desired color. When the vehicle is switched off, the car returns to a default color of white. The coating has the ability to reproduce any color visible to the human eye and it takes less than a second to change the entire car. The first commercial applications could be on the market as early as 2010. __________________

11-09-07, 07:28 PM	#3
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I can't wait to see all the kids writing 'bollox' on these things with a magnet:rotfl: Chock __________________

11-09-07, 07:39 PM	#4
TteFAboB Admiral Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,247 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	And the tuners who will start pumping out blinking versions that'll make you dizzy, increasing crashes by the million. __________________ "Tout ce qui est exagéré est insignifiant." ("All that is exaggerated is insignificant.") - Talleyrand

11-10-07, 04:03 AM	#8
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Hey this is old, Terra Hawks had a car like this in the 80's That is cool though. __________________

11-09-07, 07:15 PM	#2
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	This could tie in nicely with the thread about the invisible tank... make identifying a vehicle a nightmare for coppers in a chase tho!

11-09-07, 08:43 PM	#5
elite_hunter_sh3 The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,376 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Nissan GTR

11-09-07, 10:21 PM	#6
Syxx_Killer Admiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 2,387 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	I think it is a cool idea except for the white default color. I don't care much for white, and I certainly wouldn't want to look at my "white" car when parked.