Super Strong Metal Foam Discovered

MikeChino writes to tell us that a North Carolina State University researcher has discovered what appears to be the strongest metal foam yet, capable of compressing up to 80% of its original size under load and still retain the original shape. The hope is that this amazing material could be used in cars, body armor, or even buildings to absorb the shock from earthquakes. "Metal foam is exactly what you might think – a cellular structure made from metal with tiny pockets of space inside. What makes Rabiei’s metal foam better than others is that she’s been able to make the tiny pockets of space more uniform. And that apparently is what gives it the strength as well as elasticity it needs in order to compress as much as it does without deformation. Many tests are being performed in the laboratory to determine its strength, but so far Rabiei says that the spongy material has 'a much higher strength-to-density ratio than any metal foam that has ever been reported.' Calculations also predict that in car accidents, when two pieces of her composite metal foam are inserted 'behind the bumper of a car traveling at 28 mph, the impact would feel the same to passengers as an impact traveling at only 5 mph.'"

Comments

Re:Geroge Carlin

[mollog]

"When half the accidents will be through no fault of your own..."

This is exactly George's point. Some people, such as you, get focused on fault instead of responsibility. You are the type of person who deserves to get impaled.

Accidents, including accidents that are not your fault, can be avoided. If you failed to avoid an accident, including the ones the ones that are not your fault, you get weeded from the gene pool.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe

[drumcat]

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe Dear poster, Have at it. Thanks, -The Grammar Cops

Re:Geroge Carlin

[Red Flayer]

Troll? Really?

I thought I was passing on some useful information about avoiding getting rear-ended.