World Record: Lightest Material in the World Produced

[ROBERT TANGEN]

ScienceDaily (July 17, 2012) — A network of porous carbon tubes that is three-dimensionally interwoven at nano and micro level — this is the lightest material in the world. It weights only 0.2 milligrams per cubic centimeter, and is therefore 75 times lighter than Styrofoam, but it is very strong nevertheless. Scientists have named their creation "Aerographite." It is jet-black, remains stable, is electrically conductive, ductile and non-transparent. Despite its low weight, Aerographite is highly resilient. While lightweight materials normally withstand compression but not tension, Aerographite features both: an excellent compression and tension load. It is able to be compressed up to 95 percent and be pulled back to its original form without any damage.

[Jay Wilkerson]

Thats great information Robert. Do you know the next step in production and where they go from there?

[Steve Meier]

We should have a backpack made of it by Spring for just $3,995.

[Jim Colten]

This pales in comparison with unobtainium;-)

[K C]

I'll take 10 yards please

[Dean F.]

It's DUCTILE? Why do I find that hard to believe?

[Jerry Adams]

"Strong" and "compressed up to 95 percent" seem inconsistent

Is it supposed to be structural – like a backpack frame or pole, or insulation?

[Dean F.]

I'm thinking it's more like aerogel, or that funky 3D-mesh NiTi stuff.

[Author]

Posts