MIT News: Manipulating Heat Using Lenses and Mirrors

Thermal lattices, shown here, are one possible application of the newly developed thermocrystals. In these structures, where precisely spaced air gaps (dark circles) control the flow of heat, thermal energy can be "pinned" in place by defects introduced into the structure (colored areas).
Illustration courtesy of Martin MaldovanCredit: MIT

Nanostructured semiconductor alloy crystals were engineered to manipulate heat, either through reflecting or focusing it.

Nanotechnology is the science behind the manipulation of atomic and molecular objects. These materials measure from 1 to 100 nanometers (nm). One nanometer is equal to one billionth, or 10⁻⁹ meters.

Nanostructures are one of the products from this technology. Nanostructures are engineered as a component for a bigger device. Nanostructures give support, assist in the process, or brings out a particular property from the created device.

There are three dimensions to a nanostructure:

• Nanotextured surfaces have one dimension on the nanoscale - only the thickness of the surface of an object is between 0.1 and 100 nm (a dot).
• Nanotubes have two dimensions on the nanoscale - the diameter of the tube is between 0.1 and 100 nm; its length could be much greater.
• Spherical nanoparticles have three dimensions on the nanoscale - the particle is between 0.1 and 100 nm in each spatial dimension (Length, Width, Height).