3D-Printed Material Can Carry 160,000 Times Its Own Weight 60
rtoz writes: Researchers have found a new material design based on the use of microlattices with nanoscale features, combining great stiffness and strength with ultralow density. The actual production of such materials is made possible by a high-precision 3-D printing process called projection microstereolithography. Normally, stiffness and strength declines with the density of any material; that's why when bone density decreases, fractures become more likely. But using the right mathematically determined structures to distribute and direct the loads, the lighter structure can maintain its strength. This newly invented material is among the lightest in the world. It can easily withstand a load of more than 160,000 times its own weight.
Re:Space Elevator? (Score:4, Interesting)
Would this material make one possible?
No.
A space elevator cable needs to have insanely high Tensile strength combined with the ability to not deform/stretch.
It's described as similar to an arogel [wikipedia.org] with the strength of rubber. With that description it sounds like its
Tesile strength [wikipedia.org] is terrible while its compressive strength [wikipedia.org] is what's great... which would make it a bad match for a space elevator cable. Though, what's interesting here is the process... they could use it to design other materials with different geometries and different properties I'd think.