Scientists created a paint so black it makes cars look like silhouettes

A car that seems to swallow light whole, like staring into a void. That's the unsettling visual effect researchers at Shanghai's Nipsea Group are chasing with a new ultra-black automotive coating that absorbs roughly 99.9% of visible light.

The material blends carbon black with carbon nanotubes, creating a structure that traps light by scattering it repeatedly within the coating rather than reflecting it off the surface. It's inspired by Vantablack, the famously dark nanotube coating BMW once applied to a concept SUV, but designed to actually survive real-world conditions.

Durability has long been the obstacle. This new composite passed humidity and heat tests with no visible defects, a meaningful step forward.

The commercial target is clear. "In China, car color has become a key selling point," said Nipsea research chemist Zhiwei Liu. "Deep black finishes have long been the premium choice and signature color for luxury cars."

Production, though, remains a distant goal.