How Did the Bird of Paradise Inspire Cornell Engineers to Create the Darkest Fabric in the World?

Cornell University engineers have developed a unique fabric that absorbs 99.87% of the light that hits it, making it one of the darkest fabrics ever, according to a report from Science Alert citing the journal Nature Communications.

Rather than simply dyeing the fabric, the researchers relied on modifying the material's structure at the nanoscale to enhance its light absorption capabilities.

The white knitted Merino wool fabric was dyed with a synthetic melanin polymer known as polydopamine, before being placed in a plasma chamber to etch tiny nanofibers that trap light, causing the rays to bounce back and forth between the fibers instead of reflecting outward, giving the fabric an extraordinary darkness.

* The Bird That Inspired the Design

This innovation was inspired by the bird of paradise Ptiloris magnificus from New Guinea and northern Australia, known for its shimmering blue-green chest that contrasts with its dark black feathers.

Although the new fabric outperforms the bird in some aspects, the bird appears at its darkest when viewed directly, but becomes reflective when viewed from an angle, while the Cornell fabric maintains its light absorption even at angles of up to 60 degrees from either side.

* Nature-Inspired Design

Cornell fashion design student Zoe Alvarez created a stunning dress from the new fabric, featuring a gradient of darkness that culminates in a deep black fabric surrounding a blue-green focal point, elegantly embodying the beauty of the bird of paradise.

* Amazing Darkness and Easy Manufacturing

While materials like Vantablack absorb up to 99.96% of light, and later materials made from carbon nanotubes from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieved absorption rates of 99.995%, these materials are often expensive and difficult to manufacture.

In contrast, the new Cornell fabric is characterized by ease of manufacturing and relatively low cost, making it suitable for large-scale production.

The innovation from Cornell opens new horizons in the world of fabrics and design, embodying how nature can inspire technology in a wonderfully unparalleled way.