Overview
- Researchers dyed merino wool with polydopamine then plasma-etched it to grow light-trapping nanofibrils.
- Measurements show average total reflectance of 0.13% that stays ultrablack across a 120-degree viewing span.
- The method uses common natural fibers and standard lab gear, with tests on wool, cotton and silk indicating scalability.
- A strapless dress by student designer Zoe Alvarez showcased the material’s appearance without angle-dependent shine.
- The work, published in Nature Communications, has a provisional patent via Cornell’s CTL as the team explores commercialization for applications in solar thermal systems, cameras and telescopes, and thermo-regulating camouflage.