Researchers at the University of British Columbia have accidentally created a super-black material that absorbs almost all light, opening up possibilities for fine jewelry, solar cells, and precision optical devices. The material, named Nxylon, remains black even when coated with gold and can replace rare black woods like ebony and rosewood in watch faces and jewelry. Developed from basswood, Nxylon is lightweight, stiff, and easy to cut into intricate shapes, showcasing the untapped potential of the wood industry. The team plans to launch a startup, Nxylon Corporation of Canada, to scale up applications and develop larger samples for commercial use.
https://news.ubc.ca/2024/07/ubc-super-black-wood-nxylon/