The world’s blackest material, Vantablack, is now available in spray paint form, expanding its capabilities beyond the space and defense industries into the imagination of the commercial sector to turn 3D objects into non-reflective 2D “black holes.”
The spray on version, Vantablack S-VIS will be easier to apply than the original and can be used on larger, more complex objects made up of a wider variety of materials.
Vantablack, which is made from carbon nanotubes, was created two years ago by UK company Surrey NanoSystems and traps 99.965 percent of incoming light - making three dimensional objects appear two dimensional.
The spray on version captures 99.8 percent of ultraviolet, visible and infrared light and is 17 times less reflective than the super-black paint used in the Hubble telescope, according to Surrey Nanosystems.
While Vantablack was originally created to coat optical components in the space and defense industry the spray will open the possibilities of use to cameras and luxury goods.
Vantablack S-VIS however doesn’t hold up well to abrasion and needs to have some sort of protection over it. Using it isn’t as simple as applying conventional spray paint as it requires a number of “pre- and post-application steps.”
And unfortunately it’s not a case of buying a can at your local hardware store and transforming your car into a 2D, blacker than black, driving machine. Surrey NanoSystems will apply Vantablack S-VIS for clients or they can license the technology for their own production facilities.