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A
powder made up of zinc oxide nanoparticles can provide a clear image of
fingerprints even on wet surfaces, Australian researchers say.
Dr Andrew McDonagh at Sydney's University of Technology (UTS) says the
20-nanometre zinc oxide particles form a solid 1 micrometre sized
flower-like crystals, giving a much clearer picture of fingerprints.
Traditional powders reveal fingerprints by sticking to the oily residues left on the surface, but sometimes the prints are found on sinks and bathtubs or are partly washed away.
Tested on glass, polyethylene and aluminum and illuminated with ultraviolet light, the new powder fluoresces without any extra fluorescent dyes, ABC science reported.
"When you dust with a powder, you're hoping that it will stick only to
the fingerprint, but often it will stick to everything," said McDonagh.
"[The nanoparticles are] very good at sticking to the fingerprint residue but not to the background surface,” he concluded.
Stick/v./:
jab or poke with a pointed object; affix
Bathtub/n./:
container used to hold water for washing oneself
Illuminated/p.t of the Illuminate/:
light up, brighten; elucidate
Ultraviolet/adj./:
beyond the rays of the violet end of the visible light spectrum
Residue/n./:
remainder, rest, material that remains after part is removed
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