Most paintings are made by applying paint to canvas or wood. But researchers in St. Petersburg, Russia, have created a new way to make paintings. They use lasers!
For this new technique, a laser heats titanium until the metal begins to melt and then boil. A tiny amount of the metal evaporates, or turns from liquid to gas. As the titanium quickly cools, it reacts with oxygen to form a thin film on the metal’s surface “like a soap bubble,” says Darya Lutoshina, an engineer on the project. When light reflects off the metal, it produces a color. The color is different depending on the metal’s thickness.
The researchers use computer programs and mirrors to direct the laser. Next, they want to create handheld laser tools to use like pens or paintbrushes. The team hopes laser painting will become a popular art form!