Voila! Nanotechs Turn Gold Red and Green

It's not exactly alchemy, but it's close,— maybe the modern equivalent.

Scientists in the U.K. have used nanotechnology to change the color of gold. What once had a gold tint now links red and green, to an extent.

Using principles of nanophotonics, the scientists embossed minuscule raised patterns on the surface of the gold, fundamentally altering the way the metal reacts to light. The trick is in how we perceive it, of course. To the human eye, the gold now looks like it has a reddish or greenish appearance.

The embossing was done on the magical metal of gold, but the scientists said that they could have just as easily used other more boring metals like silver or aluminum. The type of metal isn't a hindrance because the same technique would be used. It's not just red or green, either.

All of the colors of the rainbow are possible. As for the real world, the lead scientist is hopping to market the idea to those wanting to make jewelry or secure banknotes.