University articles

scientists mother nature paint color

Scientists accidentally create the world's lightest paint by mimicking Mother Nature

A drop the size of a raisin could paint both sides of the door to your house
Yeah! Science! Traditional paint is made from a bonding agent, such as oil, and pigments from heavy metals like cobalt, ochre, and cadmium, which make blue, red, and yellow, respectively. We use paint to color the artificial world, but in nature, creatures such as butterflies and beetles display vibrant palettes without pigment - they use topography.