Created a metal that floats in water
Source:Unsinkable — this is something new!
We All know that metals — is quite difficult class of substances which has a high density and (if we're not talking about special alloys or superfine sheets like foil) is frequently lost in the water. However, researchers from the University of Rochester have managed to create metal that simply refuses to sink. Even if it is immersed under the water surface — it will float to the surface.
How to create a metal that floats in water
Responsible For the development of Professor of optics and physics at the University of Rochester of Conley and his team. To create a new material, the researchers used an innovative method that uses femtosecond lasers to flash «etching» metal surface. That is a very fast and intense flashes of lasers create on the metal surface micro - and nanoscale patterns by changing the structure of matter. Due to this surface can capture the air and hold it, making the metal surface «superhydrophobic» or, simply, waterproof.
This approach can lead to the creation of unsinkable ships. Or to the development of electronic devices, which are not enough to float to the surface, and are almost completely waterproof. — says Professor of Chunlei Go.
However, during testing, the researchers found that after prolonged immersion in water the surface can start to lose its hydrophobic properties. And then attracted the attention of scientists…spiders and ants.
For Example, water spiders Argyroneta create an underwater dome-shaped web, the so—called diving bell, which they fill with air that they are shifting from the surface on their legs and abdomen. The same way some species of ants are able to form «water bubble» holding on the body surface air bubbles.
This is a very interesting natural phenomenon — the researchers note. The key in this case is the fact that superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces can capture large volume of air, which indicates the possibility of the use of SH surfaces to create a floating device.
In the end, a team of scientists has developed a structure in which two metal plates just like previously covered tiny «patterns». Only here put these plates on each other, drawing «pattern» inside. Between the plates was enough space to capture and retain air, which gave the metal structure to sink. What do you think about the new development? Please share your opinion in our
At the same time superhydrophobic structure remains afloat even after significant structural damage. In the experiment, the scientists made in the plates 6 holes with a diameter of 3 mm and one hole with a diameter of 6 millimeters. Plates continued to float on the water surface.
Metal continues to swim even after significant damage.
A Team of scientists argues that a similar process can be applied for modification . When experts first experienced the new technology, it took them one hour to modify the area of metal measuring 2.5 by 2.5 centimeters. Now, using lasers seven times more powerful, the process is greatly accelerated and in General, according to the developers, «technology is ready for commercial application».
Recommended
What will be the shelter for the first Martian colonists?
Mars is not the friendliest planet for humans While the Red Planet is roaming rovers, researchers are pondering the construction of shelters and materials needed by future Martian colonists. The authors of the new paper suggest that we could use one ...
New proof of string theory discovered
Just a few years ago, it seemed that string theory was the new theory of everything. But today the string universe raises more questions than answers String theory is designed to combine all our knowledge of the Universe and explain it. When she appe...
What is the four-dimensional space?
Modeling camera motion in four-dimensional space. View the world in different dimensions changes the way we perceive everything around, including time and space. Think about the difference between two dimensions and three dimensions is easy, but what...
Related News
New electronic skin will allow you to control real and virtual objects
Artificial skin has largely begins «bypassing» current Thanks to the joint work of scientists from Germany and Austria, was the first to create artificial skin that is able to handle simultaneously tactile and non-tactil...
How big data helps to discover new properties of conventional materials
Nickel — the material is quite common. But as it turned out, we don't know much. Sometimes even substances and materials, which seemingly knows absolutely everything, can be quite surprising. Thus, in order to learn new prop...
The most dangerous pseudoscientists country: instagram-doctors, pseudo-historians and other bigots
Pseudoscience in Russia is booming. This is confirmed by numerous instagram-Dr. If you think that sitting exclusively ladies with plump lips and other prominent parts of the body, I hasten to disappoint you. Today instagram —...
The method of manufacture of super-hard metals without damage to their electrical conductivity
a piece of the new silver alloy in the hands of research associate Frederick Santosa All metals have structural defects that ultimately affect their strength – the more defects in the metal, the more soft or brittle. To solve this...
With the editor of the genome has been achieved immunity to poison
Editor genome CRISPR/Cas9 can do this! Notorious to all readers of our website editor genome CRISPR/Cas9, which allows scientists to make again struck the global community, on what is capable. If earlier CRISPR/Cas9 allowed to cha...
What is the Malthusian trap? And where does the Avengers?
In a beautiful modern cities to live comfortably, but not always pleasant. Modern society is often called consumer society. Don't forget that we consume in the first place, not the new iPhones, and other benefits of technology dev...
How to increase your productivity
Fashion trend on self-development has distorted the very idea of development. often think of social approval, not about how to increase productivity. Personal development training, motivational books and webinars — the more the be...
What is the doomsday clock? Little-known facts and opinions
Colorful scenario of destruction of everything on earth More than sure that many of you have heard of the doomsday clock — the ominous name of some obscure hours, which is constantly being transferred closer to midnight. Act...
The Fibonacci Number. Why it is so popular in nature?
"the Vitruvian man" by Leonardo da Vinci has the ideal proportions, based on knowledge of the properties of Fibonacci numbers the Mysterious Fibonacci number equal to 1,618, excites the minds of scientists for several millennia. S...
Discovered DNA of the parasite, who lived 17,000 years ago
One of the types of roundworms. Fairly common parasites of man and animals As is known, the parasites co-existed with us and other members of the animal world throughout our life cycle almost since the origin of life. Thus despite...
How social networks help to spread pseudoscience
Let's be Frank — spirit in 2019 is a little different from the 1990-ies of the last century. This is not about politics and Economics, though, of course, interrelated. Today, as 30 years ago, in Russia there is the era . And if th...
In the Netherlands opened the world's first "floating" farm
We have already wrote many times about , but perhaps we have never touched upon the subject of the floating farms. Imagine they exist! In addition, one of such places is located in the heart of Western Europe — in the Nether...
Each of us knows from experience that if you make at least a small yawn even in the smallest team, then you can start a whole chain of this strange but amusing phenomenon. Moreover, some people simply think about this soothing pro...
Why are conspiracy theories so popular?
When was the last time you accessed the Internet, did not notice anything strange? There is at least a little to pay attention to the comments under the popular blogs, how to catch the eye of conspiracy theories of all stripes. Pe...
Cockroach milk — food for the future?
due to the fact that the population of our planet is constantly growing, scientists now are finding new ways to feed . So, one of the most promising products of the future may well be cockroach milk. Despite the fact that currentl...
How does artificial intelligence
In recent years we . It is used almost everywhere: from the sphere of high technology and complicated mathematics to medicine, automotive industry and even with smartphones. The technology underlying the work of AI in the modern v...
If you think that such diseases as measles, tetanus and whooping cough are no longer a threat, we have bad news for you. In the last few years around the world is gaining popularity the movement of the opponents of vaccination. In...
What will happen to the snake if it gets bitten by another snake?
I Think that it is not necessary to explain what can happen to humans by the bite of a poisonous snake, because of the unpleasant consequences of such events many people have heard. But what happens if a snake bites another snake?...
Scientists have proposed a new method for the production of renewable energy
According to scientists from Stanford University, where blended salty ocean water with fresh water, can be a source of huge production volume , according to a press release on the University website. The authors note that this tec...
Why after the mint we feel cold in your mouth?
If you chew on a mint leaf, you will feel how your mouth begins to spread a pleasant coolness. This is due to the substance menthol, which is contained in mint and affects the system of receptors that are found on the mucous membr...
Comments (0)
This article has no comment, be the first!