Metallic Wood Strong as Titanium
New Material Developed by UPenn , U of Cambridge UK & International Team
Brand New Material With Great Potential
This is breakthrough innovation in Materials Science. It's a porous 'metallic wood" as strong as titanium and 5-times lighter. The developers - scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois and the University of Cambridge UK - say the new material can be used for aircraft wings, prosthetic legs, batteries, among many other things.
'Metallic Wood'
Their research has just been published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. They've built a sheet of nickel with nanoscale pores that make it as strong as titanium but much lighter. The metal pores make it similar to natural wood and that's why it's being called "metallic wood".
Discovery Process
Here's the process. The scientists suspended tiny spheres in water. As the water evaporated, the spheres fell into orderly stacks that were then infused with nickel by using electroplating. Then, the spheres were dissolved leaving behind a system of metallic struts. 70% of the resulting structure is empty. It is so light it can float on water or be filled with electrolyte to make a battery.
High Strength to Weight Ratio
The porous structure makes for its high strength to weight ratio. It is more similar to natural material like wood. The scientists say it has the potential to be much more useful than titanium.
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| Source: University of Pennsylvania |
Brand New Material With Great Potential
This is breakthrough innovation in Materials Science. It's a porous 'metallic wood" as strong as titanium and 5-times lighter. The developers - scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois and the University of Cambridge UK - say the new material can be used for aircraft wings, prosthetic legs, batteries, among many other things.
'Metallic Wood'
Their research has just been published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. They've built a sheet of nickel with nanoscale pores that make it as strong as titanium but much lighter. The metal pores make it similar to natural wood and that's why it's being called "metallic wood".
Discovery Process
Here's the process. The scientists suspended tiny spheres in water. As the water evaporated, the spheres fell into orderly stacks that were then infused with nickel by using electroplating. Then, the spheres were dissolved leaving behind a system of metallic struts. 70% of the resulting structure is empty. It is so light it can float on water or be filled with electrolyte to make a battery.
High Strength to Weight Ratio
The porous structure makes for its high strength to weight ratio. It is more similar to natural material like wood. The scientists say it has the potential to be much more useful than titanium.
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