Scientists used computation to model new crystalline aluminum that can float in water, potentially resulting in lighter and more fuel efficient space rockets and vehicles

Briefing

September 27, 2017

Briefing	Supertetrahedral Aluminum – Scientists at Utah State University and Southern Federal University in Rostov-on Don, Russia modeled in computer new super light crystalline aluminum, called supertetrahedral aluminum, which has lower density than standard aluminum Composition – Team substituted every carbon atom in diamond with aluminum tetrahedron Density Comparison – Has density of 0.61 grams per cubic centimeter, compared to normal aluminum’s 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter, steel’s 7.75 grams per cubic centimeter, and water's one gram per cubic centimeter, enabling it to float on water Applications – Include spaceflight, medicine, wiring, and automotive parts, potentially leading to development of lighter and more fuel efficient vehicles and rockets
Accelerator	Advanced Materials, Space Commercialization
Sector	Transportation and Logistics
Organization	Southern Federal University, Utah State University
Source	Starr, M., "Scientists have designed a crystalline type of aluminium that's insanely light", Science Alert, http://www.sciencealert.com/; "Ultra-light aluminum: Chemist reports breakthrough in material design," ScienceDaily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/; Austin-Morgan, T., "Scientists use computation to design a super-light crystalline aluminium", Eureka, http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/; AcceleratingBiz analysis
Original Publication Date	September 25, 2017

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