Fig. 1: Visual and microscopic surface analyses of nano/microstructures.
From: Ultrablack wool textiles inspired by hierarchical avian structure
a Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of barbs/barbules from a feather of the magnificent riflebird (Ptiloris Magnificus), a species of bird-of-paradise family. Inset image of bird, photo credit: Eric Gropp, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63294234. b Black dress inspired by bird-of-paradise, fashioned with black polyester blend (BPETB) and a centerpiece consisting of the ultrablack wool (UBW). c Schematic of two-step method to create UBW. d UBW and the control fabric, PDA-dyed merino wool (PDAMW), under two different standard lighting systems. e Photographic image of (1) white merino wool (WMW), (2) plasma treated WMW (40 W 80 min), (3) PDAMW, and (4–8) plasma treated PDAMW (40 W 5, 30, 50, 80, and 110 min, respectively) (Diameter of samples: 38 mm) under standard lighting system with corresponding SEM images (e1-e8). Scale bars = 1 μm; Inset scale bars = 5 μm. f Schematic for two directions of tactical flashlight in dark room. g Flashlight illuminating from directly ~30 cm above the fabrics (i: WMW, ii: BMW, iii: PDAMW, iv: flock, and v: UBW). h Flashlight illuminating from ~60° slanted angle to ~30 cm away from the fabrics. (Diameter of samples: 38 mm).
