In the hopes of showing just how black it is, scientists have coated a £1.6 million diamond with a new material – and the effect is unbelievable.
Researchers from MIT have developed the blackest ever material, which is 10 times blacker than anything that has previously been reported.
The material is made from carbon nanotubes, which were grown on the surface of aluminium foil. The foil captures more than 99.96% of any incoming light, making it the blackest on record.
Despite creating it, the researchers aren’t entirely sure of the mechanics contributing to the material’s blackness.
However, the team suspects that it may be due to the combination of etched aluminium and carbon nanotubes.
Scientists believe that ‘forests’ of carbon nanotubes can trap and convert most incoming light to heat.
Professor Wardle explained: “CNT forests of different varieties are known to be extremely black, but there is a lack of mechanistic understanding as to why this material is the blackest. That needs further study.”
To demonstrate just how black it is, the researchers coated a 16.78-carat natural yellow diamond with the material.
Amazingly, the gem – which is normally dazzling – appears as a flat, black void.
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