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Researchers at the University of British Columbia have introduced an ultra-black material capable of absorbing nearly all the light that strikes it. This discovery could benefit manufacturers of jewelry, optical elements, and solar panels.
The scientists initially experimented with high-energy plasma to enhance the water-repellent properties of wood. However, when they treated wood cell slices, they observed that the material’s surface turned extremely black.
This ultra-black wood reflects less than 1% of visible light, significantly outperforming conventional black paint. Such super-black materials are highly sought after in astronomy, where they help reduce scattered light and enhance image clarity. They can also increase the efficiency of solar cells.
The team has already created prototypes of watches and jewelry using this super-black wood and have trademarked the name Nxylon, inspired by Nyx, the Greek goddess of the night, and the Greek word for wood, xylon. The material remains black even when coated with metals like gold, due to its structure preventing light from escaping.
This innovation could replace rare types of ebony and precious stones like onyx. In the future, Nxylon could be made from other types of wood, such as European linden. The researchers also plan to develop a plasma installation for producing larger samples of super-black wood, opening new opportunities for the forestry industry.
