Aluminum Rainbow

This anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) is a nanoporous material which produces a highly visible color spectrum when enhanced by a thin layer of gold. Through the application of various chemicals, AAOs are being used to create inexpensive and efficient chemical sensors. Current research is developing a sensor using this technology for detection of chemicals through a rapidly visible color change. This image illustrates the highly visible colors of an AAO sample being used for the detection of TNT molecules.