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NanotechProgress

Vantablack nanotube coating

Vantablack is a coating made of carbon nanotubes that absorbs about 99.96% of the light that hits it. When it was announced in 2014, that was believed to be the highest ever recorded.

Phys.org, July 2014
Coating · how far it has got2/5Working prototype

How far from your life: Still years away; many prototypes stall here.

Company-reported

From lab to your life

Why it’s on step 2

  1. 1Lab discovery
  2. 2Working prototype
  3. 3Real-world testing
  4. 4Approved or on sale
  5. 5Everyday life

The rule

Works beyond the first experiment: tested in animals, built as a device prototype, or made on a pilot production line.

  • Surrey NanoSystems finished a two-year development and test program, moving its low-temperature process onto aluminum parts and sensors. Phys.org, July 2014

The short version

What you need to know

Why it matters

In telescopes it cuts stray light, helping instruments see very faint stars.

Phys.org, July 2014
Is it really nano?

Truly nano

The coating is the nanotubes; its darkness comes from their structure.

Phys.org, July 2014
Where you’ll find it

In scientific and imaging instruments, such as telescopes.

Phys.org, July 2014
Who’s behind it

Surrey NanoSystems

On the record

Every step, dated

Newest first. Company-reported means the only source so far is the company itself.

  1. On the recordCompany-reported

    Surrey NanoSystems announced Vantablack, absorbing 99.96% of light, which it said was the highest ever recorded.

    Phys.org, July 2014
  2. Working prototypeCompany-reported

    Surrey NanoSystems finished a two-year development and test program, moving its low-temperature process onto aluminum parts and sensors.

    Phys.org, July 2014