Khaberni - Scientists from Cornell University have developed an ultra-black fabric capable of absorbing 99.87% of light, making it the darkest fabric recorded to date, and it may pave the way for a revolution in the fashion and technology world in the coming years.
This fabric features "ultra-black" properties as it reflects only 0.13% of the light that falls on it, making it resemble a "black hole" that absorbs light from various angles.
To make this fabric, researchers dyed "white Merino" wool (sourced from globally renowned Merino sheep for their high-quality fibers) with polydopamine — a synthetic compound used as a dark dye — then placed it in a plasma chamber to create very minute protrusions on its surface, which work to absorb light and prevent it from reflecting, thereby increasing its blackness. Analyses have shown that the fabric maintains its blackness over a viewing angle of up to 120 degrees, outperforming commercially available materials in the market.
Scientists emphasize that this fabric is not only meant for fashion, but also has broad potential in the fields of solar thermal energy, sensitive cameras, optical devices, and thermal camouflage technologies. Environmental and mechanical tests have demonstrated its retention of flexibility and natural textile properties despite its extreme blackness.
The idea for the project goes back to the "Magnificent riflebird" (Ptiloris magnificus), which lives in the forests of New Guinea and Australia, where its velvety black feathers acquire their deep color from a combination of melanin and fine filamentous structures that redirect light inward. Similarly, the new material combines polydopamine with nanostructures similar to those found in the bird's feathers.
In demonstrating the artistic application of the innovation, Cornell graduate Zoe Alvarez created a strapless black dress that combines circles of ultra-black fabric and shiny blue ones, directly mimicking the bird's colors. It was noted that the black color in the photos remained stable when adjusting brightness or contrast, unlike the other colors.
The Cornell team emphasizes that the new innovation is breathable and wearable, and capable of retaining its blackness from a wide range of viewing angles, making it suitable for everyday practical use.
