New version of Vantablack coating even blacker than original

Phys.org ^ | 11 April 2017 | Bob Yirka, Phys.org

[COBOL2Java]

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(Phys.org)—U.K.-based Surrey Nanosystems has announced that it has improved on the original Vertically Aligned Nanotube Array BLACK (Vantablack coating) which the company claimed to be the blackest material ever made. The original Vantablack was found to absorb 99.96 percent of visible (and ultraviolet and infrared) light—the new Vantablack is darker—so much so that it cannot be measured by a spectrometer.

Vantablack is made by chemically growing a network of carbon nanotubes (each of them is just 20 nanometers in diameter and approximately 14 microns to 50 microns in length) in a high-temperature chamber, creating a forest of sorts on a base such as aluminum—the nanotubes are so small and dense that the company reports that over a billion of them exist on a 0.1 in square patch. The material is then applied as a coating to another object—light hitting the coating is absorbed because it is bounced around between the nanotubes instead of being reflected back. Such materials have an eerie look, as they appear to be missing features normally seen in other black materials. The result is striking—coated objects appear is if they have been photoshopped to remove all traces of contours and other features. It is only by changing the angle of objects coated with the material that features are visible.

Nanosystems has also reportedly developed a spray version of Vantablack (Vantablack S-VIS.) which should make the coating more accessible to anyone who wants to use it, though it is not quite as black.

[COBOL2Java]

Since it was first developed three years ago and marketed, artists and manufacturers have shown interest in using the coating to create unique-looking products—a watch from Contemporaine du Temps, for example, designed by British artist, Anish Kapoor, features Vantablack on its dial and minute hand—it adds a degree of depth to the watch that other watches do not have.

[dhs12345]

Wonder if it can be used as camo.

[DainBramage]

Call me when it’s blacker than Hillary’s heart.

[BobL]

I gave up on that crap after Obama was elected.

[kosciusko51]

Nigel Tufnel: It's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black.

[COBOL2Java]

Call me when it’s blacker than Hillary’s heart.

They wouldn't be able to film it because it would steal your soul.

[ClearCase_guy]

This is useful for when you really, really need to redact something.

[House Atreides]

Call me when it’s blacker than Hillary’s heart.
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That is likely impossible as Hillary’s heart and soul are the blackest black.

[Snickering Hound]

[JohnnyP]

Anyone remember Donald Duck’s crazy inventor uncle, Gyro P. Gearloose?

One of his inventions was the “gloom light”. It made light places dark. This coating could do the same thing, using no electricity.

[Vince Ferrer]

The Hubble telescope has a coating like this on the inside , reducing light scattering inside the telescope.

A good use for these would be solar thermal products, since it absorbs infra-red.

[Windflier]

“Blacker than black”

That’s cultural appropriation. I demand reparations!

[Steely Tom]

That’s cultural appropriation. I demand reparations!

You stole my post! GMTA.

[NonValueAdded]

♫ I want by baby back ♫

[Windflier]

You stole my post.

Ha! I knew someone would post it if I didn't hurry ;-)

[PIF]

Wonder if it can be used as camo.

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in the inner cities ...

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Blackest black ever... sounds racist

[Libloather]

It’s so secret, they had to put a big dot over what the guy is holding?

[dhs12345]

Lol. Works at RF frequencies really well. Maybe in the visible spectrum too?

[StAntKnee]

I call cultural appropriation.