Boeing says it’s created a microlattice material which it describes as 99.99% air – the world’s lightest metal ever created.

The microlattice metal looks like a sponge and it is simultaneously flexible and very strong. From the company said the new metal could help airlines save huge amounts of money, because the weight savings are crucially important in aircrafts and a lighter aircraft requres less fuel.

For comparison the new metal weighs only 1/10 as much as carbon fiber, the director of the Sensors and Materials Laboratory at HRL -Bill Carter also adds that it is slightly lighter than air itself.

The microlattice metal was developed by HRL Labs (Joint venture between General Motors and Boeing) in collaboration with UC Irvine and Cal Tech.

Boeing plans to use this metal to build space rockets in about five years and after another half a decade this metal should make its way into commercial planes , said Mr. Carter.

There are also plans the World’s lightest metal to be used on cars, but the manufacturing will have to come down a little more before it is economically feasible.

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