In a groundbreaking discovery that blurs the lines between art and science, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a material so black that it absorbs virtually all light that hits it. This new material, grown from vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on etched aluminum foil, is at least 10 times blacker than any previously reported substance, setting a new benchmark in material science.
The Essence of Black
Black, a color that symbolizes mystery, fear, death, and awe, is often associated with the onset of night from a human perspective. In the cosmos, black is the essence of the universe. In the fashion world, black, white, and gray are collectively known as the three primary colors of fashion, with black holding an无可撼动的 (unshakeable) position of dominance.
A Confluence of Art and Science
The MIT announcement introduces a scientific breakthrough with profound implications for art. The new material, which absorbs 99.995% of incident light, has been used to create an artwork titled The Redemption of Vanity, currently on display at the New York Stock Exchange. The piece features a 16.78-carat natural yellow diamond, valued at approximately $2 million, alongside a version of the diamond coated with the new black material, transforming the brilliant gem into a void of complete darkness.
The artwork is a collaborative effort between MIT’s Center for Art, Science, and Technology Artist in Residence Diemut Strebe, MIT Professor Brian Wardle, and their respective teams. The research paper on the darkest material is co-authored by Wardle and Dr. Kuochang Cui, now an associate professor at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Composite Materials Research Institute.
A Serendipitous Discovery
Many scientific breakthroughs are the result of serendipity, and this discovery is no exception. The researchers initially intended to grow carbon nanotubes on the surfaces of conductive materials like aluminum to enhance their thermal and electrical properties. However, Dr. Cui encountered a challenge: the oxide layer on the aluminum’s surface acted as an insulator, hindering the growth of the nanotubes.
While experimenting with salts and other household items to grow nanotubes, Cui noticed that chlorides could erode the aluminum surface and dissolve the oxide layer. This etching process, common in many metals, allowed the researchers to grow carbon nanotubes on the aluminum surface at a lower temperature.
The Science Behind the Darkness
The researchers were surprised to find that the combination of etched aluminum and carbon nanotubes produced an incredibly dark material. Dr. Cui measured the material’s reflectivity and found that it absorbed at least 99.995% of incident light from all angles, making it 10 times blacker than the previously known darkest material, Vantablack, produced by Surrey Nanosystems.
The exact mechanism behind the material’s opacity is still unclear, but the scientists speculate that it has to do with the combination of etched aluminum and the dense array of carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes are believed to absorb most of the incident light and convert it into heat, with very little light being reflected back, resulting in their unique blackness.
Applications and Implications
The new material has already piqued the interest of the aerospace industry. Nobel laureate in physics and astrophysicist John Mather is exploring the use of this material as a basis for the Star Shade device on the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), currently under development by NASA.
Optical instruments like cameras and telescopes need to get rid of unwanted glare to see what you want to see, Mather explains. If you want to see an Earth-sized planet orbiting another star, you need something very black, and that black material must be able to withstand the shock of a rocket launch.
Wardle and Cui have filed a patent for this technology and plan to make it available to all artists for non-commercial artistic purposes.
As the scientific community continues to unravel the mysteries behind this darkest material, its potential applications in art, aerospace, and beyond are vast, marking a new chapter in the intersection of science and creativity.
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