http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7190107.stm

That ought to make a sufficiently dark ink Carbon Nanotubes that "Researchers say it is the closest thing yet to the ideal black material, which absorbs light perfectly at all angles and over all wavelengths."

They're sufficiently small to not have to worry about clogging up a pen, either...

They're present in large quantities in any carbon soot based ink. Unfortunately, the other constituents may clog the feed on you...

If the soot is made by burning acetylene you end up with pure carbon.

...but not necessary in buckeyball/nano-tube arrangements. Large carbon aggregates of nanometre to micron size (or larger) can result.

This is exactly what I was thinking mere minutes ago

What a nice black that would make

True, I was addressing the impurities reference (other constituents).

Buckyballs were first discovered in acetylene soot I think but they are rare. As you point out, most of it is clods and clumps.

Speaking of Buckyballs, they'd probably result in a nice lubricating ink too.

Oh, NPR mentioned this discovery on their news a short while ago along with a soundbite from the scientist.

Fascinating!! Given all that we know about light reflection/absorption/refraction, it really makes perfect sense.

Nano tubes represent a major potential for a lot of things...especially if we can find a practical way to put together a sufficient quantity for building tasks, etc. This is just another great possibility!!

~~King

I'm sure if someone can figure out an efficient self-assembly or catalytic process, Nathan will be selling a limited release of 144 1oz bottles...

Yup. Similarly to how benzene was discovered in the residue of gas burning streetlamps.

Why not a whole pen?

I think Porsche has a carbon fibre pen, which is about as close as you could hope to get.

One possible gotcha: getting the nanotubes to stick to the page.

Harry Kroto, who discovered the Buckeyball (and can be seen holding up a model of one in the BBC article) pops in to the Freethinking Students Union meetings here at FSU about once a month or so; I could ask him to get on making a true Blackest Black ink. Might be worth another Nobel, or at least an award from FPN.

Summer Greer

I too wondered whether buckeyballs might result in the ink feathering as they rolled around the page

If you want really black ink, get some dark matter - I believe there is an awful lot of it out there somewhere

Chris