Patent ID: 7959969

Claim:
A method for fabricating an optically absorbent composite material comprising the acts of: growing a plurality of substantially aligned nanostructures on a growth substrate, the plurality of substantially aligned nanostructures having a first end attached with the growth substrate, a second end, and a central region; surrounding the plurality of substantially aligned nanostructures within at least one fluid layer of substantially uniform thickness such that the fluid layer surrounds the second ends and central regions of the plurality of nanostructures and the first ends of the plurality of nanostructures protrude from the fluid layer; altering the at least one fluid layer to form a primary anchoring layer, thereby fastening the nanostructures within the primary anchoring layer with the first ends of the plurality of nano structures protruding from a first surface of the primary anchoring layer; detaching the growth substrate from the first ends of the substantially aligned nanostructures; and selectively removing a portion of the primary anchoring layer surrounding the second ends of the plurality of nanostructures such that the second ends of the plurality of nanostructures are exposed and protrude from a second surface of the primary anchoring layer; whereby the central regions of the plurality of nanostructures are fastened within the primary anchoring layer, the first ends of the plurality of nanostructures are protruding from a first surface of the primary anchoring layer, and the second ends of the plurality of nanostructures are protruding from a second surface of the primary anchoring layer.