99% Invisible Their Dark Materials
Jan 22, 2020
Adam Rogers, a journalist and writer at Wired renowned for his insights on pigments, dives deep into the intriguing world of Vantablack—a pigment that absorbs nearly all visible light, creating an unsettling void effect. He discusses its genesis in nanotechnology and its disruptive impact on both art and industry. The controversial exclusive rights held by artist Anish Kapoor spark debates on artistic ownership and rivalry. Additionally, Rogers explores other fascinating pigments, touching on their historical significance and even espionage narratives that have surrounded color innovation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Vantablack's Darkness
- Vantablack, a pigment so dark it absorbs nearly all light, makes objects appear two-dimensional.
- Producer Vivian Lay describes it as looking like a "hole cut out of the universe."
Super Black Pigments
- Super black pigments, like Vantablack, aren't colors but nanotechnology made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
- These microscopic carbon tubes absorb almost all light, creating an illusion of nothingness.
Accidental Creation
- Ben Jensen, creator of Vantablack, didn't intend to make the world's darkest material.
- It was a side effect of developing a low-temperature CNT growth process for aerospace applications.
