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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/902728
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Rated: E · Book · Educational · #2105953
One hundred facts that are interesting but ultimately useless.
#902728 added January 20, 2017 at 3:10am
Restrictions: None
The Blackest Black
The Blackest Black
- physics / technology -

​The title of "blackest substance made by humans" is disputed.

The main contender is formed of manufactured nanoparticles called "dark chamaleon dimers". Discovered in 2015, the substance absorbs nearly 99% of all visible light, as well as a partial range of infrared light.

The previous title-holder is "vantablack", which is made from arrays of carbon nanotubes. While vantablack can potentially trap more light than chamaleon dimers (up to 99.965%), its effectiveness changes depending on the angle at which it is viewed.

Both materials could be potentially used to minimize ​light interference in telescopes and infrared cameras, increase efficiency of concentrated solar power, and mask heat signatures as thermal camouflage.


#020


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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/902728