Black is back

Posted at 2:22 PM on January 16, 2008 by Bob Collins (3 Comments)

As anyone with an ounce of fashion sense knows -- or so I've heard -- there are many shades of black -- until today.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York announced they have developed "the closest thing yet to the ideal black material, which absorbs light perfectly at all angles and over all wavelengths." It's the darkest material ever made by humans and it is said to be a boon to the future of electronics and solar panels.

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Comments (3)

Okay, so it may make a great solar panel, but the light still has to get through the foot of snow on the roof first.

It could make a dandy cloaking device, not as perfect as the Romulans' of course, but it's a start.

Posted by Sylvia | January 16, 2008 3:48 PM

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I want a suit made out of that...and a berret.

Mark S. Jungmann
Member Benefits Team
Minnesota Public Radio.

Posted by Mark S. Jungmann | January 16, 2008 4:14 PM

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Don't forget the shades.

Posted by G-man | January 17, 2008 12:24 PM

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