Chapter 1: The Emergence of Vantablack

In 2014, scientists unveiled Vantablack, the darkest material available commercially. This groundbreaking substance was later surpassed by an even darker creation. However, in 2019, a new contender emerged, claiming the title of the blackest material known to date.

Vantablack was developed by Surrey NanoSystems, a British firm, and it initially absorbed nearly all visible light, reflecting only 0.035%. The company subsequently created a sprayable version that was so dark it was beyond the detection capabilities of existing optical spectrometers, even absorbing light from lasers.

Vantablack consists of countless carbon nanotubes, each measuring about 20 nanometers in diameter—3,500 times smaller than a human hair. When light strikes Vantablack, it penetrates the gaps between the nanotubes. The light becomes trapped within this structure, preventing any reflection and resulting in an appearance reminiscent of a black hole. Surrey NanoSystems estimates that one square centimeter of Vantablack contains approximately one billion nanotubes.

The visual effects produced by Vantablack are striking. When applied to three-dimensional objects, these surfaces appear flat and two-dimensional, as the lack of light reflection obscures any contours or textures. Human eyes struggle to discern surface details without reflected light.

The creation of Vantablack involves a complex process within a chemical vapor deposition chamber, where the temperature is elevated to 430º Celsius using lamps. This environment fosters the growth of a “nanotube forest,” with the name deriving from Vertically Aligned NanoTube Arrays.

Vantablack finds applications in various fields that require minimal light interference. Potential uses include sensor technology, satellite calibration, infrared cameras, and luxury goods. Its innovative properties are even being explored in the art realm. Here’s a video demonstrating Vantablack in action.

Chapter 2: A New Contender from MIT

In September 2019, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), led by Brian Wardle and Kehang Cui, crafted a material that was ten times darker than Vantablack. This new substance, also composed of carbon nanotubes, was created on chlorine-etched aluminum foil.

Interestingly, the MIT team did not initially aim to produce a darker material. Their goal was to enhance the thermal and electrical conductivity of aluminum foil. However, the foil's rapid oxidation posed a challenge to their project.

To mitigate oxidation, the team submerged the foil in salt water before transferring it to an oven for carbon nanotube growth. The outcome was impressive—a material with improved conductivity and an unexpected attribute: extreme darkness. Testing revealed that this new material absorbed approximately 99.995% of incoming light, surpassing Vantablack's capabilities.

Wardle and Cui have patented their innovative process and have generously made it available for artists to use in non-commercial projects. Only time will tell if an even darker material will emerge, a possibility that these researchers themselves acknowledge.

The second video showcases the fascinating characteristics of the world's blackest material.

Sources: Mirror Online, Science Alert, Business Insider, Surrey NanoSystems, Yahoo! News Canada, MIT News.

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