Scientists Create Material 100x Lighter Than Styrofoam
- Posted on November 17, 2011 at 4:11pm by
Liz Klimas
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This little block of loopy metal is 99.9 percent air and 100 times lighter than Styrofoam at 0.9 milligrams per cubic centimeter, making it the world’s lightest solid material. But don’t be mistaken, it still packs a big punch as its Caltech, HRL Laboratories, LLC, and the University of California, Irvine, creators envision its use in things like battery electrodes or protective shielding.
(Photo: Dan Little, HRL Laboratories LLC)
Here’s an instance where nano technology strikes again (see also NASA Creates Super-Black Nano-Tech Material and the Nano Techno Rap) with hollow nickel-phosphorous tubes 1,000 thinner than human hair composing this material. But in the Caltech news release, Julia Greer — assistant professor of materials science and mechanics and part of the research team that created the material — said it isn’t just about what composes the material, but how it’s all oriented:
“We’re entering a new era of materials science where material properties are determined not only by the microscopic makeup of the material but also by the architecture of the constituents,” Greer says.
The new material, called a micro-lattice, relies, appropriately, on a lattice architecture: tiny hollow tubes made of nickel-phosphorous are angled to connect at nodes, forming repeating, asterisklike unit cells in three dimensions. Everything between the tubes is open air. In fact, the structure consists of 99.99% open volume. Tobias Schaedler, a research staff scientist at HRL Laboratories, LLC, and lead author on the report described it as “a lattice of interconnected hollow tubes with a wall thickness of 100 nanometers, 1,000 times thinner than a human hair.”
The design, which will be published in Friday’s edition of Science, is based on order and hierarchy to make efficient use of materials. The press release compares this concept to the Eiffel Tower. In addition to be very light, it also absorbs energy well.
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Comments (56)
Donald727
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 12:12amIf it can be used in the primary structure of an airplane, it’ll really change things as we know it. Well, everything for that matter.
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 8:20amComes down to how much it costs to produce, and if the cost out weighs the benefits.
Report Post »Lisarubrich
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 9:56pmHere’s what we need from an orthotic and prosthetic point of view… We need an ultra thin but manipulatable strong substance for orthotic and prosthetic use. The biggest problem we have is strength and cosmesis. The good looking stuff cracks. The strongest stuff is ugly. It’s better than it used to be but not good enough yet. If it could be invisible, that would be great!
Report Post »From Lisa the Orthotist from the great state of Wisconsin.
paintbrushbright
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:46pmThe most important information about this material was not mentioned in the article. What is the strength of this lightweight metal? The strength factor would give you reason to know how application could be used.
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:57pmThe strength of the metal and the strength of the lattice are two entirely different subjects. One relates only to the material properties of the alloy, and the other is dependent upon both material properties and geometry.
If you are asking about the strength of the lattice, that is a far more involved question to answer. Suffice it to say, it will be many years (likely decades) before this structural development achieves broad-based commercialization.
However long commercialization will take, this is a truly great accomplishment, and it will generate many new ideas, some practical and many not.
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:53pmComments
Report Post »aaronakaplan
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:51pmAll they have to do is reverse engineer the material which was found from a previous
Report Post »UFO crash site.
midnightgolfer
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:39pmAll? Or forward-engineer a higher-quality, more reliable, limited edition version of what the Chinese will be mass-producing a year or two later, at a tenth of the price.
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:26pmWhat does “100x” lighter mean? As measured from what? It’s a mathematically meaningless statement. It can be 1/100th as HEAVY, or 1% as heavy. Those are meaningful statements, but a multiplier + “less” doesn’t make sense. “Heavier”, “more”, “taller” all measure from zero. What do they measure “down” from?
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:00pmThe baseline for that number is likely the weight of a solid piece of the same material occupying the same volume as the lattice.
Report Post »asybot12
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:18amread the article: 100x lighter / cubic centimeter than styrofoam, it is comparing only two materials
Report Post »MistaB
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:24pmCapitalism at it’s best. NO WAIT, I’m sure they created this so the people at OWS could have free tuition!!
Report Post »jnealer
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:27pmIf you mean capitalism in conjunction with a public institution, then you’re right. This technology was heavily subsidized by the government, just like those new ion batteries from Northwestern’s McCormick School. Research funding by the government has been one of the greatest driving forces for U.S. dominance of this century. Sooooo, yeah. Capitalism?
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:15pmSuch a material already exists (AEROGEL), and is currently being used by Nasa and other companies for a variety of purposes. The problem is that the material is EXPENSIVE to manufacture, making it unsuitable for everyday use.
Google “AEROGEL” it is really cool.
Report Post »bunnellyl
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:17amReminds me of the old joke, What is a ping pong ball made of??
Report Post »Mostly air with a thin plastic coating…!
LetUsReason
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:55amHa! I don’t know how “old” the joke is, but I like it. Clever.
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 10:37amThe wall thickness of 100A can, and will, be made thinner. The actual structures are macroscopic, but these two can and will be made smaller. This is a very crude “proof of concept” design. Next steps made go black due to security. But please – Keep away from the Patent Office, which has been taken over by the Mob.
Report Post »Not Quite
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 10:26amIs it really considered a solid if it’s 99.9% gas?
Report Post »MemphisViking
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:30pmActually, if you look at it on a sub-atomic level, all matter is mostly empty space.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:05pmObama is,is he not?
Report Post »asybot12
Posted on November 19, 2011 at 1:21amat hollywood thanks I needed that LOL
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 9:17amMaybe we have the beginning of Star Trek shields. “Maximum shields, Mr. Spock.” Aye, Captain. Shields are at maximum but the Liberal/Democrat/Progressive/Communist schemers are still penetrating the hull. We’re going down, Captain.“ ”Scotty. S-c-o-t-t-y!! We need more power.“ ”Sorry, Captain, I‘m already giving her all I’ve got.“ ” Giving who….Oh never mind.” Spock says calmly, “We’re doomed Captain. Admiral Reid is cutting the budget by a half trillion dollars and we’re simply out of gas.“ ”Sheilds to maximum we’re going to land hard.“ ”We’re already at maximum you over actor.” retorts Mr Nimoy says as he walks off the set.
Report Post »the point
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 9:02amGood for them . Now , let me see them make a cell , or something simple, like a tree.
Report Post »ONTIME1
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:38pmYou do know that human tissue is being made for burn victims and causualties as well as new human tissue body parts…..I am amazed at how many areas are changing as our tools improve.
Report Post »I hope morals and integrity make greater strides along with all this scientific knowlege.
HawkEyeTx
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 8:57am#
Report Post »……”In addition to be very light, it also absorbs energy well”…..What kind of energy; there are many forms that come to mind.
80mesh
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 8:27amyup we are lazy and unimaginative
Report Post »SmallGovBigGuns
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 8:59amwell he obviously meant we waste out time making cool scientific advancements instead of all of us picking up shovels for these shovel ready jobs…obamas grand plan is to dig to china haha
Report Post »itsmyfirstday
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 8:27amBest invention ever! It will make a great packing material for shipping….no more Styrofoam peanuts!!!! and the crowd goes crazy!!!!!!
Report Post »leumas
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:33amFinally something lighter than the combined brain mass of the OWS maggots.
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:14amHow great is this! A new material that is 100 times lighter than Styrofoam! Hells yea we needed that, now my coffee cup will be lighter and i can better balance the doughnut in my opposing hand! Only one concern though, will this material get rid of the smelly occupy P0S’s or get NASA back into space?
Report Post »randydutton
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:16pmAnd it probably will take only 100 times the energy to make than the styrofoam; and 1 million times the cost.
Report Post »LMW
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:30amJokes and snide remarkes aside I find this amazing as the mind can imagine a thousand uses for this type of material. My question would be is how strong is it? How impervious to weather will it be? Thanks to who ever is behind this.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:08amI wouldn’t be very impervious to weather unless you backed it with a water/weather proof material. I was wondering how strong it was, too.
Report Post »PossumRoadkill
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:45amI agree, this is amazing science. Congrats to whomever discovered this technique and material application.
To those of you who just want to make snide remarks because you are afraid of science, keep in mind that the inspiration to discover and create new things comes from the divine. God wants us to discover these things to make the world a better place for all of us. Whether they realize it or not, there is a higher power at work here.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:28am“snide remarks because you are afraid of science,”
Report Post »Quite an assumption there PRK.
Cant‘ speak for others but I myself make snide remarks because I’m not afraid of snide remarks.
lel2007
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 10:29pmNINETY NINE PERCENT AIR ?? That means it won’t obstruct a golf ball !
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:47amThat means it could take over the OWS movement and nobody would know.
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:10amGORP, nice thought, but since the new material doesn‘t stink and isn’t loud, we would notice.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:24amOr it could take over an Occutards brain and no one would ever notice.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 10:27pmAre they saying scientists have fabricated something less substantial than democrat’s promises.
Report Post »SerikFox
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:28amhahahaha
Now that’s funny
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 9:44pmOh, no! Air is the 99%, so clearly the Occupymorons gotta occupy that 1% of metal. This will require being chopped up inbto itty bitty pieces though.
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 9:02amLook here! I keep telling you people that you are insulting morons. We have a measurable IQ. Please refer to OWS members and Democrats as idiots in the future.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 8:57pmBad timing… the Green nuts will not approve!
Report Post »dlivelli
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:58pmThis is the essence of what “we” the people” of this country are. If you search for inventions that changed the world you will find that MOST since 1776 have come out of the US. Most also from non-native people….people that escaped the restrictions of other nations to explore their ideas with the blessing of our new government and philosophy of living. From 5000BC till 1776 2 pages of inventions; from 1776 tile 1900 11 or 12 pages. We DID change the world and we will do so again. We need commitment, faith and perseverance….and make it an even better place than you could imagine. We are the shining light on the hill”, leading everyone to greatness. Have faith and determination and we WILL get there. Do not let the loons destroy faith…they have NO knowledge of true history….the history that faith played in all that this country is. Without a commitment to God we will flounder….we will suffer…and we will stay stagnant. We can’t afford that….in more ways that one! God has NO problem with wealth….it is what you do with that wealth that He wants you to think hard about. You will receive tenfold what you give………give all you have and be happy that you can. Sometimes you have no idea who or what you gift does but rest assured it DOES make a difference. Not only to you but to all.
Report Post »Give happily….give willingly…… give faithfully,….work hard and be honest and watch what you get in return.
Tomfang
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 6:08amGreat post! How can anybody with a brain look at what the U.S. has done, due to freeing the spirit of man, and say ” naw, that doesn’t work. We need to try something else”. The problem is that we have made life SO good for the masses that they have become too lazy and envious.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 18, 2011 at 7:12amI agree with the part about most inventions were from people who escaped other countries and came to America. It’s sort of like Christianity (bear with me, atheists); I was always told it’s hard to teach salvation to a good person. They don‘t see the need for a savior because they’re good. You can teach salvation to someone who’s life will be turned around by accepting Christ. It‘s also like people who are enjoying great prosperity don’t feel a need for God, they pray real hard when hard times hit, though. People from oppressed countries come here and appreciate the freedom. People who were born to freedom sometimes take it for granted until they lose it.
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:33pmJust as improving the mouse trap has been worthy of praise this is as well, however, we have bigger problems minds such as these should be focusing upon. Like focusing on the BARE NECESSITIES of life! I beg of thee!
Report Post »SerikFox
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:39pmThis could potentially be extremely important. It‘s not the material itself that matters but rather how it’s constructed.
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