Vantablack

As part of the study, the researchers created these prototype watches with Nxytol faces

Materials

Valuable "super-black" material derived from plasma-treated wood

Vantablack, which is the world's darkest material, could be in for some competition. Canadian scientists have created a super-black substance that has the potential to be cheaper, hardier and easier to manufacture … and it's made out of wood.

The Pacific blackdragon is a fearsome-looking creature, and one of the ultra-black fish species described by the team

Science

Ultra-black fish that absorb 99.5% of light found in the deep ocean

Scientists have discovered ultra-black fish that absorb almost all light that hits them, allowing them to effectively hide in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. The find could help inform future advances in optical and camouflage technology.

For now, the MIT team has demonstrated its ultra-black material as a coating for a a US$2-million diamond, replacing its many facets and intricate detail with a lifeless black void

Materials

MIT engineers produce the blackest material on Earth

MIT engineers are claiming to have produced a material 10 times blacker than anything before it, including Vantablack.

The world's first Vantablack car is a BMW X6

Automotive

Vantablack BMW X6: The blackest car that's ever existed

The world’s blackest paint has finally made its way onto a car. Meet the new benchmark for murdered-out motoring.