(IMAGE) North Carolina State University Caption Electron micrograph of gold nanorods overcoated with iron oxide nanoparticles and aligned in a magnetic field. When dispersed in water, gold nanorods overcoated with iron oxide nanoparticles align along the magnetic field pattern generated by arrays of permanent magnets, resulting in polarization-dependent absorption and scattering of light. Double-headed arrows indicate the polarization axis of a linear polarizer through which the sample was photographed. Credit Mehedi H. Rizvi Usage Restrictions with credit License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.