UBC super-black wood can improve telescopes, optical devices and consumer goods

Thanks to an accidental discovery, researchers at UBC have created a new super-black material that absorbs almost all light, opening potential applications in fine jewellery, solar cells and precision optical devices.  

Dr. Philip Evans and PhD student Kenny Cheng were experimenting with high-energy plasma to make wood more water-repellent, like a lotus leaf. However, when they applied the technique to the cut ends of wood cells, the surfaces turned extremely black.  

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