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Sensitive electro-optical imaging
systems will achieve new levels of
sensitivity performance due to a
breakthrough “super black”
material launched at the
Farnborough International Air
Show in July by Surrey
NanoSystems, London.
Vantablack is said to be
revolutionary in its ability to be
applied to lightweight,
temperature-sensitive structures
such as aluminum while absorbing
99.96% of incident radiation,
believed to be the highest ever
recorded. The new material is the
result of applying Surrey’s low-
temperature carbon nanotube
growth process to the UK
Technology Strategy Board’s
Space for Growth program,
working with the National
Physical Laboratory and
Enersys’ ABSL Space Products
division. .
Together with teams from Finland
and Japan, physicists from the
University of Basel, Switzerland,
were able to place 20 single atoms
on a fully insulated surface at
room temperature to form the
smallest Swiss cross ever made.
This is a big step towards next-
generation atomic-scale storage
devices. .
20 bromine atoms positioned on
a sodium chloride surface using
the tip of an atomic force
microscope at room
temperature, creating a 5.6-nm
Swiss cross. The structure is
stable at room temperature and
was achieved by exchanging
chlorine with bromine atoms.
Courtesy of University of Basel.
MS&T14 highlights covetic nanomaterials
Covetic nanomaterials are metals that contain a highly sta-
ble and tenacious nanocarbon phase, increasing the thermal
and electrical conductivity of the alloy. This phase is unusual
because it survives remelting in air, is detectable by energy dis-
persive spectroscopy but not combustion infrared detection,
and has little effect on overall density even at 4 wt% concen-
tration. MS&T14 will feature two lectures on October 15
to share new information about the structure and processing
of copper and aluminum. Details are available at
10:00 a.m. Graphene-like Nanocarbon Structures in Metal Matrices:
Structure, Processing, and Applications
10:40 a.m. The Production and Properties of Copper and Aluminum
Covetic Nanomaterials
From coconuts to car parts
EssentiumMaterials LLC, College Station, Texas, is
making automotive trunk liners and battery pack covers
(load floors) for electric cars using a composite mate-
rial made of coconut husks combined with recycled
plastics. The new material is greener and more eco-
nomical, as well as stronger and stiffer, than traditional
all-synthetic plastic fibers.
Researchers estimate that replacing synthetic poly-
ester fibers with coconut husk fibers, known as coir, will
reduce petroleum consumption by 2-4 million barrels
annually. In addition, the improved performance and
lighter weight will lead to increased fuel economy, sav-
ing up to 3 million gallons of gasoline per year in the
U.S. alone, says inventor Elisa Teipel.
The team worked with several manufacturing companies to develop different material
blends and processing techniques. Essentium now works in the Philippines with local
groups to extract fibers from husks and shells, with labor conducted close to the plants
where coconut milk and meat processing occur. Fibers are separated from the husk,
shipped to the U.S. and combined with other fibers, and turned into a felt-like material
that is formed into vehicle parts. The work is supported by a $1 million grant from the Na-
tional Science Foundation through its small business innovation research program in the
directorate for engineering. .
Material bends like microscopic hair
Engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge,
fabricated a new elastic material coated with microscopic, hairlike
structures that tilt in response to a magnetic field. Depending on
the field’s orientation, the microhairs can tilt to form a path through
which fluid can flow. In addition, the material can even direct water
upward, against gravity.
Each microhair, made of nickel, is about 70 mm high and 25 m m
wide. Researchers fabricated an array of the microhairs onto an elas-
tic, transparent layer of silicone. In experiments, the magnetically
activated material directed not just the flow of fluid, but also light —
similar to how window blinds tilt to filter the sun. Researchers say
the work could lead to waterproofing and anti-glare applications,
such as smart windows for buildings and cars. .
ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES • SEPTEMBER 2014 12
E MERGING T ECHNOLOGY
High-resolution
transmission electron
microscope image of
Ag cv. 3%.
Approximately 50 billion coconuts
fall from trees annually worldwide.
The husk and shell, typically
discarded, are now being used to
make automotive parts such as this
Ford Focus electric vehicle load
floor made with coconut fiber
composite. Courtesy of Essentium
Materials and SPE Automotive Div.
A new material
designed by MIT
researchers is a
flexible polymer skin
coated with
microhairs (white
lines) that tilt in
response to a
magnetic field.
Courtesy of the
researchers.