A team from the University of Surrey, working with BAE Systems, has used a technique called nanotexturing to create what is said to be the most light absorbent material for its weight. Using the approach, the team has increased the amount of light which graphene can capture substantially.
According to Professor Ravi Silva from the University’s Advanced Technology Institute, the nanoscale textures channel light towards the centre of the moth’s eye whilst eliminating reflections. “We have used the same technique to make an amazingly thin, efficient, light absorbent material by patterning graphene in a similar fashion,” he noted.
So, instead of graphene absorbing about 3% of the incident light, the new approach allows 95% of light across a broad spectrum to be captured.
Stand by for such innovations as wallpaper that generates power.
