Researchers have created a super-black material that absorbs over 99% of light. The team discovered this material by accident when they were working on water-repelling technologies for wood. They used high-energy plasma gas and noticed the ends of wood cells turned black. Further examination showed the material had incredible light absorption properties.
The new material, called Nxylon, combines the benefits of natural materials with unique structural features, making it lightweight, stiff, and easy to shape. It has a velvety appearance due to tiny indentations on its surface that help capture light. Even when a gold alloy was applied, the material remained black, showing the structure of the wood had changed.
Super-black materials are valuable in industries like astronomy, solar energy, and optics, where they reduce unwanted light reflection. The team behind Nxylon thinks it could be used in wearables, fashion accessories, and even space telescopes.
The advantages of Nxylon include using renewable wood (basswood), not requiring complicated pre-treatments, and being more cost-effective than rare black woods like ebony and rosewood. The researchers are now looking for commercial partnerships to produce Nxylon at scale.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/new-super-black-material-made-of-wood-can-absorb-99-3-of-light