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Cornell Unveils Ultra-Black Fabric: 99.87% Light Absorption!

12/3/2025

Summary

Story summary

Scientists at Cornell University have created the blackest fabric, absorbing 99.87% of light.
This "ultra-black" material is made by dyeing merino wool with polydopamine and etching it in a plasma chamber to create nanofibrils.
The fabric is breathable, easy to manufacture, and retains its ultra-black quality at different angles.
Although it is less light-absorbing than MIT's Vantablack, it has potential uses in fashion, cameras, and solar panels.
Researchers have applied for a patent and plan to commercialize their innovation.

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Story summary

Scientists at Cornell University have created the blackest fabric, absorbing 99.87% of light.
This "ultra-black" material is made by dyeing merino wool with polydopamine and etching it in a plasma chamber to create nanofibrils.
The fabric is breathable, easy to manufacture, and retains its ultra-black quality at different angles.
Although it is less light-absorbing than MIT's Vantablack, it has potential uses in fashion, cameras, and solar panels.
Researchers have applied for a patent and plan to commercialize their innovation.