Researchers at the University of Toronto and Caltech have created a new ultra-light yet incredibly strong material using artificial intelligence (AI). The material boasts the strength of carbon steel while being as light as styrofoam.
For years, materials engineers relied on trial and error to optimize strength, weight, and durability. But AI is changing the game by analyzing countless possible nanostructures and predicting entirely new lattice geometries that had never been seen before. These structures were 3D-printed into ultra-lightweight nanolattices, which turned out to be twice as strong as previously known designs and five times stronger than titanium.
The new material overcomes a major challenge in materials science: balancing strength and toughness. Unlike ceramic dinner plates, which are strong but brittle, this material is both durable and resistant to sudden breakages.
This breakthrough has significant implications for aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. The researchers estimate that replacing titanium components with this new material could save up to 80 liters of fuel per year for every kilogram of material swapped.
The success of AI in designing ultra-strong materials marks a new frontier in innovation, opening doors to even stronger, lighter, and more sustainable materials.
Source: https://bgr.com/science/ai-invented-a-new-miracle-material-thats-as-strong-as-steel-but-light-as-foam