A Criação do Tecido Mais Escuro e Usável Alguma Vez Feito

Featured image for Cornell scientists create the darkest wearable fabric ever made

Cornell Scientists Create the Darkest Wearable Fabric Ever Made

Image 1 for Cornell scientists create the darkest wearable fabric ever made

Imagine a fabric that virtually absorbs every bit of light, rendering it almost invisible. This is the astonishing achievement by scientists at Cornell University, who have developed the darkest wearable fabric ever created. This groundbreaking material, inspired by the feathers of the exquisite riflebird from Papua New Guinea, reflects a mere 0.13% of visible light. Thus, it absorbs an astounding 99.87% of light that strikes its surface, making it a true marvel of modern science¹².

Image 2 for Cornell scientists create the darkest wearable fabric ever made

The Creation Process

Image 3 for Cornell scientists create the darkest wearable fabric ever made

Creating this innovative fabric involves a meticulous series of steps:

Base of White Wool: The process starts with the use of white merino wool as the base material.
Dyeing: The wool is dyed using polydopamine, a synthetic polymer similar to melanin.
Plasma Etching: The fabric undergoes a process called plasma etching, which forms nanospikes (nanofibers) on the fibers, mimicking the structure of riflebird feathers and significantly enhancing light absorption¹²³⁴.

Distinct Features of the Fabric

The newly developed fabric boasts several unique characteristics that set it apart from previous ultra-black materials:

Ultra-black Reflectance: Reflects only 0.13% of light.
Wide Viewing Angle: Maintains its ultra-black appearance across a 120-degree vision angle, effective even up to 60 degrees off-axis.
Usability and Durability: Features like elasticity, breathability, washability, and scalability make it suitable for clothing applications.
Simplified Manufacturing Process: Compared to other ultra-black materials, such as carbon nanotube-based textiles, its production is more straightforward and scalable.

Potential Applications

The implications of this ultra-black fabric extend far beyond fashion. It opens up a myriad of potential applications, including:

Solar Panels: Enhancing efficiency in solar light absorption can lead to more effective solar energy solutions.
Cameras and Telescopes: Improving image capture and data collection capabilities for advanced optical devices.
Military Camouflage: Potential development of highly effective and discreet military gear that blends seamlessly into various environments.

A Stylish Showcase

The collaborative efforts of the Cornell team culminated in a stunning dress inspired by the iridescent feathers of the riflebird. This piece not only demonstrates the fabric’s practical uses in apparel but also showcases its unique and captivating aesthetic¹³⁴.

The Future of Ultra-black Fabric

The team from the Responsive Apparel Design Lab at Cornell is currently pursuing a patent for this innovative technology. Plans for commercialization are underway, with the exciting potential to apply it to natural fibers such as silk and cotton².

Key Takeaways

Feature	Description
Light Absorption	Absorbs 99.87% of visible light
Potential Uses	Solar panels, cameras, military gear
Manufacturing Advantages	More scalable than carbon nanotube-based materials

Conclusion

This new ultra-black fabric, regarded as the darkest in the world, not only sets a record in light absorption but also boasts practical qualities and potential uses that can revolutionize various technological domains. By simplifying production methods, Cornell’s invention has the capacity to impact industries ranging from garment manufacturing to advanced technology and defense.

For further insights, visit the following resources:

Sources

Share this post

Like this post? Share it with your friends!