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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 8 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

University of Sheffield Roman glass recreation

Overview

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have successfully replicated the dichroic properties of the 4th-century Lycurgus Cup, a Roman artifact held in the British Museum. The glass is notable for its ability to shift from jade green under reflected light to a deep ruby red when illuminated from behind.

By decoding an ancient recipe and analyzing fragments of the original artifact, researchers determined that the effect is produced by gold and silver nanoparticles embedded in the molten glass. The team achieved this by melting glass at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C and carefully controlling the cooling process to allow nanocrystals to form. Technician Dr. Lisa Hollands described the achievement as “magic.”

Following the scientific breakthrough, the technique has been applied to create a contemporary glass sculpture by artist Elliot Walker for the 2025 Sheffield Light Festival.

Entities

Caroline Jackson · British Museum · Lisa Hollands · University of Sheffield · Elliot Walker

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    University of Sheffield researchers recreate ancient Roman dichroic glass

    University of Sheffield researchers have recreated the 1,600-year-old Roman technique used to make the color-changing Lycurgus Cup using gold and silver nanoparticles.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
    University of Sheffield scientists recreate ancient Roman dichroic glass

    University of Sheffield scientists have recreated the color-changing properties of the 1,600-year-old Roman Lycurgus Cup using ancient nanotechnology involving gold and silver nanoparticles.

Sources

ethnos.gr · gbnews.com · hotnews.ro · lifo.gr · marca.com · meteoweb.eu · ou.nl · techgear.gr