Chinese Researchers Develop World’s Blackest Car Paint Absorbing 99.9% Light

A team of Chinese researchers has developed a paint material capable of absorbing 99.9% of visible light, according to a report by autostation.com. The material, described as “the darkest paint in the world,” surpasses the previous benchmark set by Vantablack, a carbon-based coating developed by Surrey NanoSystems that absorbed 99.96% of light. The new formulation, created by scientists at the Harbin Institute of Technology, reportedly addresses key limitations of existing super-black materials, including high production costs and fragility.

The research team, led by Dr. Liang Wei, a materials scientist at Harbin Institute of Technology, detailed the paint’s composition in a preprint paper published on arXiv.org. The material uses a combination of carbon nanotubes and a proprietary polymer matrix to achieve its light-absorbing properties. Unlike Vantablack, which requires high-temperature vacuum deposition, the new paint can be applied using standard喷涂 (spray coating) techniques, according to the study. This advancement could significantly reduce manufacturing costs, making the technology viable for commercial applications.

Industry analysts note that the development could impact sectors such as aerospace, optical instruments, and renewable energy. For example, the paint’s ability to minimize light reflection may enhance the efficiency of solar panels by reducing energy loss. A representative from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation confirmed in a statement that the organization is exploring potential partnerships with the research team to test the material in satellite components.

However, independent verification of the paint’s performance remains limited. While the Harbin Institute of Technology’s preprint paper includes laboratory data, third-party validation from external institutions has not been publicly released. Dr. Emma Roberts, a physicist at the University of Cambridge, who has studied super-black materials, stated in an interview that “the claims are promising, but the true test will be scalability and long-term durability under real-world conditions.”

The research team has not yet disclosed a timeline for commercialization. A spokesperson for the Harbin Institute of Technology said the next phase of research will focus on optimizing the paint’s resistance to environmental factors such as humidity and UV exposure. The institute also mentioned plans to file international patents for the technology, with applications pending in the United States and European Union.

Comparisons to Vantablack highlight the material’s potential. While Vantablack’s absorption rate is slightly higher, its brittleness and reliance on specialized equipment have restricted its use to niche applications. The new paint’s flexibility and ease of application, if confirmed, could broaden its adoption. A 2022 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that super-black materials with absorption rates above 99.5% could reduce stray light in telescopes by up to 70%, a benefit the Harbin team aims to leverage in future projects.

The Chinese government has not publicly commented on the development, but the project aligns with national initiatives to advance nanotechnology and materials science. The Ministry of Science and Technology included super-black materials in its 2023–2025 strategic research plan, emphasizing their role in “next-generation optical systems and defense technologies.”

As the research progresses, the global scientific community will monitor whether the paint’s claims hold under independent scrutiny. The Harbin Institute of Technology has scheduled a technical briefing for mid-2024, where the team plans to present extended performance data and collaboration opportunities with international partners.