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New Metal That's Full of Holes

anoopsinha writes "Wired reports: 'Caltech researchers have made a metallic glass-based foam that is stronger than traditional metal alloys, providing industry with a revolutionary lightweight material.' Currently the applications envisioned for metallic foams are in automobile and aircraft crumple zones, which absorb the impact of collisions, and in artificial bone. Some imagine using the foam to create structures in space."

19 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Ouch... by EABird · · Score: 4, Funny

    Aircraft crumple zones....

    That can't be good

  2. bubbloy? by jguevin · · Score: 3, Funny

    At first I thought the "dept." was unnecessarily pessimistic, but the name "bubbloy" alone is enough to doom this stuff.

    1. Re:bubbloy? by Theresa+Bean · · Score: 5, Funny

      I thought the name was cute.:-p

      But they'll have to come up with a really catchy "space-agey" name to market it to the general public. The idea of a commercial VO saying "The new BMW 7-series, now with BUBBLOY!" makes me giggle a little bit.

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  3. One Step . . . by Dausha · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, we are one step closer to transparent aluminum, aren't we?

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    1. Re:One Step . . . by KDan · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just keep on going in this direction, increase the bubble/metal ratio and soon we'll have transparent aluminium which looks like air, feels like air, and has the structural strength of air! Think of all the applications!!!

      Daniel

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      Carpe Diem
    2. Re:One Step . . . by zangdesign · · Score: 4, Funny

      I spent the whole morning talking into my mouse, trying to convince my computer to display the formula, but alas ...

      I'm stuck with this quaint keyboard thing.

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    3. Re:One Step . . . by JWSmythe · · Score: 2, Funny

      Scotty: "Hello Computer.. Computer??"

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  4. Metal that's full of holes? by vasqzr · · Score: 5, Funny


    Nobody told me Microsoft opened a steel mill?

  5. Re:Not as cool as Aerogel by blahlemon · · Score: 2, Funny
    That stuff looks like urinal cakes...

    mmmm, urinal cake.

    --
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  6. Robin says: by Shiblon · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Holy rusted metal, Batman!"

    Never was it more appropriate.

  7. Re:Liquidmetal?!?! Awesome! by MarkGriz · · Score: 2, Funny

    (oops...screwed up the post...stupid enter key)

    From the Wired article:

    "Indeed, bubbloy will be part of the product line of Liquidmetal Technologies, which is famous for adding spring to golf clubs and tennis rackets, but also develops material"

    So, when can we expect to see the T-1000 added to their product line?

    --
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  8. Name for the metal by MobyDisk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Researchers are debating over the name for this new metal. Currently, the top two contenders are "Mithril" and "Adamantium" :-)

    1. Re:Name for the metal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      How about Unobtainium?

  9. I, for one... by mraymer · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...welcome our repetitive "can this be used to make a space elevator?" posts.

    --

    "To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit." -Stephen Hawking

  10. where'd the idea come from? by MSG · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does this mean that scientists are starting to understand the materials they collected at Roswell?

  11. Artificial bones? by Enrico+Pulatzo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Keep that crap away from me, bub.

  12. He had a mind... by cybermace5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...like a steel sponge.

    (source: the hilarious "Use Bizarre Metaphors" idea at the Halfbakery)

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  13. Did anyone else read this and "hear" ... by Dave21212 · · Score: 2, Funny


    Did anyone else read this and "hear" the name of this material as
    BUBBLE BOY ???

    (Episode 47): Jerry is spotted at a restaurant and asked to visit a boy who lives inside a plastic bubble. Jerry, Elaine, George, and his girlfriend, Susan, are supposed to spend the weekend at Susan's father's cabin. Since the cabin is near the boy's home, Jerry agrees to stop by. Arriving early, George quarrels with the bubbleboy while playing Trivia Pursuit, almost killing him. Kramer and Jerry's girlfriend go swimming near the cabin while they wait for the others. He leaves a cigar burning that sets the cabin on fire. Air Date: 10/7/92

    I guess I spend too much time playing with this stuff...

    --
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  14. did she also... by emilng · · Score: 3, Funny

    throw away your best porno mag