(July 17, 2012) A network
of porous carbon tubes that is three-dimensionally interwoven at nano and micro
level – this is the lightest material in the world. It weights only 0.2
milligrams per cubic centimetre, and is therefore 75 times lighter than
Styrofoam, but it is very strong nevertheless. Scientists of Kiel University
(KU) and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) have named their joint
creation “Aerographite”. The scientific results were published as the title
story in the scientific journal “Advanced Materials” on July, 3rd. Today
(Tuesday, July 17th) it is presented to the public.
The properties
It is jet-black, remains stable,
is electrically conductive, ductile and non-transparent. With these unique
properties and its very low density the carbon-made material “Aerographite“
clearly outperformes all similar materials. „Our work is causing great discussions
in the scientific community. Aerographite weights four times less than
world-record-holder up to now”, says Matthias Mecklenburg, co-author and Ph.D.
student at the TUHH. The hitherto lightest material of the world, a nickel
material that was presented to the public about six months ago, is also
constructed of tiny tubes. Only, nickel has a higher atomic mass than carbon.
“Also, we are able to produce tubes with porous walls. That makes them
extremely light”, adds Arnim Schuchard, co-author and Ph.D. student at Kiel
University. Professor Lorenz Kienle and Dr. Andriy Lotnyk were able to decode
the material’s atomic structure with the aid of a transmission electron
microscope (TEM).