Nanomaterial magic: from a window to a mirror with the flick of a switch

Australian National University team says the breakthrough could protect satellites from radiation and create energy-efficient homes

Australian scientists have developed a technique to create temperature-controlled nanomaterial that could be used to turn a window into a mirror at the push of a button.

The method, developed by a team of 12 at the Australian National University, could be used to protect multibillion-dollar satellites from harmful radiation, create energy-efficient temperature-controlled homes, or just for the trivial delight of switching a mirror on and off, said the lead researcher, Dr Mohsen Rahmani.