Photos: Pulp meets nanotech

A new process developed by University of Arkansas researchers has made nanomaterial available in three-dimensional forms. The paper is made up of pulp from titanium oxide nanowires. The breakthrough has applications in things like armor, flame-retardant fabric, and the decomposition of harmful chemicals.

The researchers proved the material's use as a low-cost nontoxic photocatalyst--a substance that can regenerate its chemical composition after exposure to light. They compared the paper's write-erase capability against regular printing paper. Window A shows a piece of nanopaper written on with water-based ink. The second photo is of the same paper after a 15-minute exposure to UV irradiation.