Creative Chemistry: USU Student Using Science to Create Unique Pieces of Art

Out of an attempt to make homemade paints to cut down on costs, Utah State University student Adam Lambert stumbled upon a way to patina copper on filter paper. With some off-the-shelf supplies, and a little research online, the USU senior, studying in the sculpture program, uses chemistry to manipulate a mixture of root killer, baking or washing soda, lye and Vitamin C to create different colors of copper ions. After soaking a filter paper in that solution and letting it dry, Lambert then can use the papers to create different art pieces. He has applied for a patent on the process.