Wavefront shaping allows for ultimate control of light propagation in multiple-scattering media by adaptive manipulation of incident waves. We shine two separate wavefront-shaped beams on a layer of dry white paint to create two enhanced output spots of equal intensity. We experimentally confirm by interference measurements that the output spots are almost correlated like the two outputs of an ideal balanced beam splitter. The observed deviations from the phase behavior of an ideal beam splitter are analyzed with a transmission matrix model. Our experiments demonstrate that wavefront shaping in multiple-scattering media can be used to approximate the functionality of linear optical devices with multiple inputs and outputs.
Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) have gained attention as low-impact solvents, offering low toxicity and versatility in applications ranging from biofuels to chemical feedstocks. This study investigates the swelling behavior of naturally-aged zinc white oil paint fragments when exposed to FAMEs with varying chain lengths. Swelling was monitored using a microscopy-based image analysis technique over a 15 minutes period, demonstrating that FAMEs induce low to moderate swelling in oil paints, consistent with prior findings on solvent-paint interactions.
Solar reflectance and thermal emissivity are essential measures for assessing passive cooling strategies, and 3D printing techniques allow the application of these materials in innovative ways.
The study introduces hollow silica nanoparticles (HSNPs) that are designed for 3D printing and achieve effective cooling under sunlight, significantly improving the cooling performance of various materials.
HSNPs demonstrate high solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity, outperforming conventional materials like silica nanoparticles and commercial products in outdoor cooling tests.
This discussion paper examines the rise of white surfaces in healthcare design, highlighting the historical, sociopolitical, and environmental implications, including the ecological degradation caused by mining for white pigments.
It critiques the dominance of neutral color palettes in design, linking it to a rejection of colorful local traditions and questioning the latent racism associated with the preference for white, rooted in 20th-century modernism.
The paper calls for a more inclusive approach to color in healthcare spaces that considers diverse cultural sensitivities and experiences, while also encouraging designers to rethink their aesthetic choices beyond a purely white aesthetic.
Heritage and Conservation Science, Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30123 Venezia, Italy.
In this study, we present the first characterisation of the polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) paints of commercial Spanish brand La Pajarita preserved in the studios of Joan Miró (1893-1983) in Mallorca, Spain. Investigation of several black and white paint samples using complementary analytical techniques (XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and Py-GC-MS) allowed for the identification of pigments and binding media in studio materials, as well as in three artworks dating from the 1970s. Through comparative analysis, it was possible to find significant similarities between the composition of La Pajarita paints conserved in cans in the artist's studio with black and white painted layers from three artworks by Miró.
Racial/ethnic minorities, including the Black community, experience stigma as a significant barrier to mental health care, with fears of being devalued or discriminated against deterring individuals from seeking help. Racial stigma further exacerbates mental health issues and negatively influences perceptions of service utilization. To address this, our research team partnered with a national non-profit storytelling organization to develop and evaluate a virtual narrative storytelling intervention series that amplifies the voices and experiences of Black Americans living with mental illness and addiction.
