It creates the black material

A group of researchers from the University of Science and Technology King Abdullah (Saudi Arabia) announced the creation of a material with a record low reflectance in the visible and infrared light. That is, it is the black substance on Earth. As stated in the Research , which is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, the idea the creation of such material was born after studying white diamond beetle ( Cyphochilus ), of the white substance in nature.

As the beetle shell, the new material is covered with a special form of microscopic twigs, representing, in fact, photonic crystal . In this case, the carbon nanotubes arranged on the surface of spheres with a diameter of 30 nanometers, and must not reflect and absorb the maximum amount of light. The random arrangement of the nanotubes creates a pattern of metallic waveguides.



Scientists also note that it is theoretically impossible to create a totally black material, so that it absorbs completely all the light energy that falls on it. However, they managed to get close to the ideal close enough.

The structure allows the material to absorb about 98-99% of electromagnetic radiation in the visible and infrared ranges, namely, of wavelength of 400 to 1400 nm, with any angle and with any polarized light. This is about 26% better absorption rate than that of any known material.



Materials with extremely low reflectivity can be useful in a variety of industries in the military, the production of solar cells, water desalination, in optical communications systems, etc.

The inventors say the new material is quite easy to make, works effectively, not only in the atmosphere, but also under water.

In July last year a similar material presented British company Surrey NanoSystems. Laboratory sample material called Vantablack, absorbs 99% of incident light 96, but only in the visible range. The principle of operation is almost completely black coat is also based on the properties of carbon nanostructures of effectively absorbing light. The photographs (without further processing), a piece of aluminum foil, covered Vantablack, it looks like an area bathed in black in the graphic editor:





Source: geektimes.ru/post/264614/