NASA’s New Super-Black Nano-Tech Material Absorbs 99% of All Light
- Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:41pm by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
Ultraviolet, visible, infrared and far-infrared light don’t stand a chance at reflecting off of a new material NASA has created that absorbs 99 percent of all these types of light.
A coating made of this material is seen as black by the human eye and sensitive detectors because the tiny gaps between the tubes collect and trap light, preventing reflection. This image was taken with an electron microscope. (Photo: Stephanie Getty, NASA Goddard)
According to NASA, the material is created using nanotechnology — in this case, hollow tubes of carbon 10,000 times thinner than human hair positioned in a fashion similar to that of a shag rug — and will be useful in making space observations where multiple wavelengths of light are involved:
One such application is stray-light suppression. The tiny gaps between the tubes collect and trap background light to prevent it from reflecting off surfaces and interfering with the light that scientists actually want to measure. Because only a small fraction of light reflects off the coating, the human eye and sensitive detectors see the material as black.
[...]
“The advantage over other materials is that our material is from 10 to 100 times more absorbent, depending on the specific wavelength band,” [NASA Goddard Center Technologist John] Hagopian said.
Close up view of hollow carbon nanotube (only about 0.03 inches wide). (Photo: Stephanie Getty, NASA Goddard)
This technology will help scientists gain otherwise difficult to obtain measurements that are usually so distant in the universe they are not visible to astronomers.
Black material such as this could also be used in infrared-sensing instruments on spacecrafts. Goddard engineer Jim Tuttle said that material such as this could help radiate heat away from instruments into deep space. When instruments are cooler, they will be more sensitive to faint signals.
Compared to other light absorbing technology NASA uses, like black paint, this nano material is more durable under extreme conditions and more lightweight.
Comments (7)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 707 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 560 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 378 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 370 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 363 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 370 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 378 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 299 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 370 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 10:12amSo how long until the military applications? Police? Yes, technology is so great and never used to enslave the Republic further.
Report Post »PAres
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 7:51amI saw a TED presentation online a week ago that said clear flexible sheets of nanometer sized carbon rings are 1000 times more conductive than copper. These two products in combo could get us closer to extremely cheap energy in the future. One product to absorb electrons even in relative darkness and one to transmit the electrons with high efficiency. Everyone’s home would be their own power plant.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 4:50amI have already invented a printable computer by hand drawing electric circuits on a sheet of paper with a normal pencil.
I bet you they’ll steal my invention. They steal everything.
“They” are the Federal government.
Report Post »SerikFox
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 2:54amI want a coat made out of that stuff
Report Post »Alastair
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 12:27amNeed to find a way for capturing the light for solar panels and making them way more efficient. Very cool nano-tech though :-D
Report Post »Brents Torts
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 11:46amI agree. There will be hundreds of applications for this tech.
Report Post »Searchingforthelight
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 12:13amVery cool. Like a synthetic black hole. Rainbows and colors are caused by light bouncing off of objects and reflecting into our eyes. I have often wondered what would cause everything to be white?
Report Post »