Posted on 09/24/2017 5:38:59 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Like most common metals, aluminium lacks natural buoyancy. However, with a little rearranging of the metal’s natural molecular structure, one can produce an ultra-light crystalline form of the metal that is actually less dense than water and, as a result, floats upon it.
Research conducted by Utah State University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry professor Alexander Boldyrev and published in the latest issue of The Journal of Physical Chemistry C has yielded just such a crystalline form using computational modeling.
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According to the research team, the potential for the new aluminium structure is vast, as the metal already features such useful traits as being non-magnetic, resistant to corrosion, easily available, and generally inexpensive to produce.
“Spaceflight, medicine, wiring and more lightweight, more fuel-efficient automotive parts are some applications that come to mind. Of course, it’s very early to speculate about how this material could be used. There are many unknowns. For one thing, we don’t know anything about its strength.”
According to the article, the stuff is generally inexpensive to produce. Of course, they are talking about producing the small research quantities in the lab. How well the process scales up is another consideration, as well.
I wonder about the corrosion thing as well. Aluminum actually corrodes very well (remember the aluminum warship taken out by an Exocet missile?). The trick is that it oxidizes rapidly to form an oxide ‘crust protecting the bulk of the object. I wonder if this structure would be so porous as to allow the thing to oxidize throughout.
I wonder about the corrosion thing as well. Aluminum actually corrodes very well (remember the aluminum warship taken out by an Exocet missile?). The trick is that it oxidizes rapidly to form an oxide ‘crust protecting the bulk of the object. I wonder if this structure would be so porous as to allow the thing to oxidize throughout.
Buoyancy: One of the most misunderstood scientific principles.
That is a general statement about Aluminum. In actuality the physical properties vary quite a bit depending on the alloy. How useful this new Aluminum Alloy will be is yet to be determined. Can it be hardened? How strong is it? Etc.
Sweet
I know about Boats. I’m reading a book on naval architecture. I was trying to be funny.
An issue not mentioned in the report is how this form aluminum ranks in various strength tests. The answers from those tests will help determine the range of applications it can be used for.
For instance, is it really strong enough for some engine/automotive parts. (just one example)
I have usually thought of most crystalline forms to be brittle, even when strong. Glass and ceramics are crystalline. We use ceramics in spark plugs but not moving parts (as far as I know, but maybe someone knows better than I).
Buzz kill....lol
I am disappointed in my fellow FReepers...not a one of you has even hinted at a floating aluminum receiver for an AR-15.
Of course, if those are made then it’ll be harder to claim that the thing is at the bottom of some lake. :>)
It’s a real “computer model” just like climate change.
Is it also transparent?
A boat made of lead would also float.
Modeled in a computer???
Already have foamed metals.
I believe it only exists in conceptual form >using computational modeling<
Maybe it could be manufactured using nano-robots or something.
Sooo...it's just in the computer so far? Like AGW? Make some and us know then.
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