New word in ES `Cyclopedia: MICROLATTICE

[LockH]

Watch: This is the world's lightest metal
99.99 percent air.

http://www.sciencealert.com/watch-this-is-the-world-s-lightest-metal?cmpid=NL_LS_weekly_2015-10-12

[youtube]k6N_4jGJADY[/youtube]

"100 times lighter than styrofoam but is as rigid as metal"

The lattice in the metal is made up of interconnected hollow metal tubes - constructed from nickel, in the case of the prototype. Each of these tubes has a wall thickness of just 100 nanometres, which is 1,000 times thinner than human hair.

 

[The fingers]

I want a surfboard made out of it. 8)

 

[LockH]

Hehe... Better keep this more landlubber-friendly. Plenty of tapping here already about carbon-based and silicone "nanotubes". Turns out we can make these tubes out of metals like nickle too. (Copper? Aluminum?) Anyway, stuff more electric current-friendly? I was thinking of stuff like paneling... shells for a velomobile? Still super-light but now also serves as "wiring" to stuff like lights, horns, etc? How `bout a battery case that ya just snap cells into? Can this stuff be just made on a 3D printer??? (Must go now. Relieve myself. Be back. Too much excitement.)