Weird Science: Clear Tape Generates X-Rays

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Weird Science: Clear Tape Generates X-Rays​

Written by Reuters 10-23-2008



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Researchers have found a new "see-through" use for commonplace clear adhesive tape—it produces X-rays when it is peeled off the roll.

The report in the journal Nature confirms a theory dating back to 1930—that the process of peeling the tape releases energy not only in the form of a flash of visible light, but also an X-ray.

Many children hiding in closets have demonstrated that unwinding sticky tape produces sparks of light. The phenomenon is called triboluminescence and is caused by the movement of one surface against another.

Carlos Camara of University of California, Los Angeles and colleagues used a motorized peeling machine to unwind a roll of tape in a vacuum.

They generated enough X-rays to show the bones inside their fingers. :eek:


Read more at the Source:
Weird Science: Clear Tape Generates X-Rays - News and Analysis by PC Magazine