Monday, September 14, 2009

Sticky tape gives off X-rays

Sticky tape gives off X-rays | COSMOS magazine

Finger X-rayed by sticky tape.

Unwinding household sticky tape in a vacuum emits radiation strong enough to X-ray a human figure, according to a new study in the British journal Nature.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), have measured the energy emitted from peeling scotch tape off the roll and found that it peaked at 15-keV and was emitted in short, sharp bursts.

"We didn't believe it. We really didn't think it could be true," said co-author Carlos Camara, referring to the team's initial scepticism. "We took some pictures of our hands to see the bones and prove that it was possible. We have a whole collection (of pictures)... it is absolutely remarkable."

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