Phys.org  May 11. 2021 An international team of researchers (Russia, Singapore) made nanoparticles composed of silicon cores and biopolymer shells. The substances that make up the shells have different hydrophobic/hydrophilic qualities using which they could make the particles contract or expand depending on external factors. The nanoparticles change both shape and color under thermal influence. The new controllable systems can also be used to create thermo- and light-controlled dyes akin to liquid-crystal modulators used in holography and lithography. Changes in the color of the particles occur solely due to structural transformations. Change in color allows monitoring the particle in real […]