Metallic microlattice

Metallic microlattice held by dandelion

Metallic microlattice is a synthetic porous metallic material, an ultralight form of metal foam with a density as low as 0.9 mg/cm³ developed by a team of scientists from HRL Laboratories.

Synthesis

To produce a metallic microlattices a polymer template is first prepared using photolithography. It is then coated with a thin layer of metal by electrodeposition, and the template is etched away leaving a free-standing periodic porous metallic structure.^[1]

Properties

Metallic microlattices are characterized by very low densities, with the current record of 0.9 mg/cm³ being the lowest value for any solid. The previous record of 1.0 mg/cm³ was held by silica aerogels. Mechnically these microlattices behave similar to elastomers and completely recover their shape after significant compression. ^[2] This property results in efficient shock absorption. Their Young's modulus E exhibits different scalling with the density ρ, E ~ ρ² compared to E ~ ρ³ in aerogels and carbon nanotube foams.^[1]

Applications

Metallic microlattices may find potential applications as thermal and vibration insulators (shock absorbers, etc.), battery electrodes and catalyst supports.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Schaedler, T. A.; Jacobsen, A. J.; Torrents, A.; Sorensen, A. E.; Lian, J.; Greer, J. R.; Valdevit, L.; Carter, W. B. (Received 25 July 2011, published 12 October 2011). "Ultralight Metallic Microlattices". Science 334 (6058): 962. doi:10.1126/science.1211649. 
2. ^ Stephen Shankland Breakthrough material is barely more than air. CNET. November 18, 2011