Brief
University of Colorado Boulder creates tattoo ink that vanishes under visible light
The ink, based on transition‑lens technology, shifts between colors and transparency with UV and visible light exposure.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have devised a photo‑chromic tattoo ink that becomes invisible under ordinary light and reappears under ultraviolet (UV) illumination, according to a study published in the journal Matter & Light.
What happened
The research team formulated the dye using tiny acrylic‑glass beads that contain photochromic compounds. When exposed to UV light, the beads flatten, rendering the ink transparent; exposure to visible light reverses the process, restoring the original color. The ink is available in yellow, blue and magenta.
What the reports add
Beyond laboratory tests on silicone and pig skin, co‑author Carson Bruns, a nanoscientist at the university, tattooed his own leg over roughly a twelve‑month period using various dye combinations. He reported that the ink functioned as intended and remained effective for more than two years.
What was said
“[It’s] almost a tradition,” Bruns told Nature about tattooing himself with the new ink.
How it came about
Bruns previously created a commercial product called “Magic Ink” that changes to magenta under UV light. Building on that work, the team aimed to produce a reversible pigment that could serve medical purposes, such as temporary markings for radiotherapy, though safety assessments are still pending.
Key facts
- The ink uses acrylic‑glass beads with photochromic compounds that become transparent under UV light. (popsci.com)
- It is available in three colors: yellow, blue, and magenta. (popsci.com)
- Carson Bruns tattooed his own leg with the ink over about 12 months, and the ink stayed functional for over two years. (popsci.com)
- The research was published in the journal Matter & Light earlier this month. (popsci.com)
- Future applications may include temporary medical markings for radiotherapy. (popsci.com)
Sources
- [1] popsci.com — originally reported as “Scientist tattoos himself with disappearing ink”
