VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Recently, University of British Columbia (UBC) scientists discovered a super-black material that absorbs 99% of light.

The new material, which is composed of wood, could advance fields like space and structural engineering, photovoltaics, and high-precision optical devices.

UBC’s super-black material

Professor Philip Evans and PhD student Kenny Cheng stress that the new material Nxylon, named after the Greek goddess of the night Nyx and the Greek word for wood, “xylon,” was a serendipitous discovery.

The team was applying high-energy plasma to improve the water repellency of wood samples when they noticed the exposed ends of the wood cells turn into an ultra-shade of black.

How it absorbs light

When contacted by Evans and Cheng, Texas A&M’s physics and astronomy department stepped in, ran tests, and concluded that Nxylon could absorb an astounding 99% of visible light. For reference, normal black paint absorbs just 97.5% of light.

The ultra-black material from UBC derives its blackness not from pigments but from its unique structural composition that traps almost all light.

Potential manufacturing application

Nxylon’s exceptional light-absorbing properties could make it a game-changer in photovoltaics, precision optics, and space engineering.

For example, traditional solar cells face challenges with light reflection, impacting their ability to harness solar energy effectively. Nxylon’s near-total absorption of light could ensure more light is converted into electrical energy. Nxylon could also reduce stray light interference and improve image clarity in precision optical applications such as telescopes and spectrometry devices.

Nxylon’s ability to absorb light could lead to the development of advanced thermal shields and coatings for spacecraft and satellites, advancing their heat absorption and dissipation properties.