Scientists make the blackest material yet

A step closer to the perfect black.

When I saw this I thought I was going to discover some really cool science. I still think it is.

But what I also found was a practical lesson in the erratic nature of science reporting.

Vertical carbon nanotubes blanket a silicon wafer to form a plush carpet. The diameter of these hollow, single-walled fibers is 10,000 times smaller than that of a human hair. Photo: Hongjie Dai, Stanford University

UK Space Experiment Competition

 The British National Space Centre (BNSC) and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) are offering UK students, individuals or teams between 14 and 18, the chance to fly a space experiment on a cubesat.

Deadline for initial proposals: 28 February 2008.
Planned launch: Early 2010.
So get your space skates on!

Sir Arthur C Clarke’s 90th Birthday

Wish him a Happy Birthday yourself 🙂