Canadian scientists from the University of British Columbia have accidentally created a new super-black material during experiments with lime trees. The substance could be used in the manufacture of telescopes, solar panels and jewelry. The research was published in the scientific journal magazine Advanced Sustainable Systems (AdvSustSys).
Super black surfaces are surfaces that absorb more than 99% of the light that falls on them. For comparison, regular black paint absorbs no more than 97.5% of the light, reflecting the rest.
The team made the discovery by treating wood with high-energy plasma to make the material more waterproof.
Ultra-black materials are increasingly in demand in astronomy; such coatings on instruments help reduce stray light and improve image clarity. The coatings could also increase the efficiency of solar panels.
The scientists registered their discovery as “Nixylon,” inspired by Nxylon, or Nyx, the Greek goddess of night, and the Greek word “xylon,” meaning wood.
Plasma-treated wood remains super-black even when coated with alloys to give the material electrically conductive properties, according to the researchers, because of the wood’s structure that blocks light from reflecting.
The scientists believe that because linden is an affordable and common type of tree, their discovery could reduce the cost of manufacturing precision optical instruments and other products.
Previously in Russia developed Ultra black light absorber for solar panels.
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.