Scientists have created a new wonder material using artificial intelligence (AI) that is as light as foam but as strong as steel. The breakthrough nanomaterial, designed with machine learning, more than doubled the strength of existing designs.
The researchers, led by Peter Serles from Caltech, used a 3D printer to create their new lattice structures and found that they could withstand a stress of 2.03 megapascals per cubic meter per kilogram – five times higher than titanium. This material has significant potential for use in aircraft, spacecraft, and other high-performance applications.
The team’s goal is to design lighter and stronger components, which could lead to fuel savings of up to 80 liters per year for every kilogram of material replaced on a plane. The new nanomaterials also have the advantage of evenly distributing applied stresses, reducing the risk of sudden breakages.
This innovation tackles a common challenge in materials science: finding a balance between strength and toughness. Traditional approaches often result in materials that are strong but brittle, prone to shattering under stress.
The researchers’ use of machine learning to optimize nano-architected materials has led to unprecedented improvements. The algorithm learned from the designs generated by the team and predicted the best shapes for distributing stresses while carrying heavy loads.
While this material is still in its infancy, it holds promise for revolutionizing industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. As researchers continue to refine their process, they aim to scale up production and explore even better design options.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/new-wonder-material-designed-by-ai-is-as-light-as-foam-but-as-strong-as-steel