New Shade Of Blue Discovered By Indian-Origin Scientist To Be A Crayon Colour

YInMn blue, the first new shade of the colour in over two centuries, will now be turned into a crayon. It is named after the pigment discovered by a scientist of Indian origin, Mas Subramanian, professor at Oregon State University (OSU) in the United States, and his team in 2009.

The pigment was discovered accidentally by the OSU researchers while they were experimenting with new materials that could be used in electronics applications. “This was a serendipitous discovery, a happy accident. But in fact, many breakthrough discoveries in science happen when one is not looking for it,” said Subramanian, as quoted by the Indian Express. He added that it was “truly an honour” that his discovery has led to a new crayon colour.

The crayon is being launched by Crayola, which is yet to give the shade a name and is holding contests asking the public to name the new blue in town.

The name YInMn is coined on the basis of the elements yttrium, indium and manganese, which make up the pigment along with oxygen. The vibrant blue was born out of an experiment that involved mixing manganese oxide, which is black in colour, with other chemicals, and heating it to 1,100 degree Celsius in a furnace.

The resultant blue is said to have a special structure which makes the manganese ions absorb red and green wavelengths of light and reflect only the blue ones.

A first since the discovery of cobalt blue by Louis Jacques Thenard in 1802, the colour is said to have unique properties like high durability and compound stability even in oil and water, and non-toxicity, which makes it very nifty for use in various commercial products like paints. It is said to have the potential, for instance, to help keep buildings cool by reflecting infrared light.