From the artist’s palette to the next generation of computers

August 02, 2006

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RICHLAND, Wash. – University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists are reporting in Physical Review Letters that a souped up form of zinc oxide and cobalt -- originally invented more than 200 years ago as the artist’s pigment "cobalt green" – can confer “spintronic” properties at room temperature. Spintronics, the manipulating of electrons’ magnetism while controlling their charge flow, may usher in broad new capabilities such as instantly-booting computers and other advanced electronic devices.

For more information, Pigment formulated 225 years ago could be key in emerging technologies.

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