A Hair There

ASEE Prism, Feb 2006 by Grose, Thomas K

NANOTECH

AND WHILE we're on the subject of hair, an Ohio State University mechanical engineer and his colleagues recently completed the first comprehensive study of human hair on the nanometer level. Using an atomic force microscope and an electron microscope, researchers led by Bharat Bhushan-an expert in the area of nanotribology, or the measurement of really small things-examined not only the fine exterior details of hair but also the complex structure inside each strand. Washing, drying, combing and brushing hair creates friction, and that causes wear and tear, they found. Examining the complex inner layers of hair shafts could someday lead to products that treat hair from the inside, Bhushan predicts. He also thinks nanotribology could be used to invent nail polishes and lipsticks that are wear-resistant. Now, if they could only figure out a way to stop hair from turning gray. -TG