Stable materials with low weight can significantly reduce fuel consumption in aerospace. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to develop materials with particularly useful, efficient properties. Human research without machine learning support would often take decades for these discoveries.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have now developed a material using AI that has highly sought-after properties for many industries. It is as light as Styrofoam but as strong as the hardest known metals. Their findings have been published in the journal Advanced Materials.
The material is a carbon nanolattice that can withstand a maximum stress of 2.03 megapascals per cubic meter per kilogram. This value is five times higher than that of titanium. In terms of compressive strength, the material has the same hardness as steel. Nevertheless, it has a density of less than 215 kilograms per cubic meter, making it as light as Styrofoam, which typically ranges between 125 and 215 kilograms per cubic meter.
Nanolattices are considered a great hope in material research because they are usually very light and yet hard. However, according to the research report, they tend to not withstand stress well, leading to breakage at edges despite their hardness. The scientists found a solution to this problem with the help of an algorithm from the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
The material is likely to be in demand primarily in aircraft construction, aerospace, and the automotive industry. In these fields, materials need to withstand extreme forces. At the same time, lightness is desired to reduce the energy required for movement. Materials of this kind could significantly reduce the fuel consumption of various vehicles and ultimately help minimize CO2 emissions.
The discovery of new materials with the help of artificial intelligence could become increasingly common in the future. Recently, Microsoft introduced MatterGene, a generative AI designed to develop materials based on text prompts. While human researchers often have to experiment and calculate for years to find materials with desired properties, AI can quickly simulate thousands of molecular arrangements to find a stable configuration that meets the specified requirements.
The discoverers of the super-light and super-strong nanolattice are now working on making the material cost-effective and producible in large quantities. At the same time, they continue researching alternative materials with the help of AI.
Such advancements in material science could revolutionize industries by offering lightweight, strong materials that reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. The role of AI in accelerating these discoveries highlights its potential in transforming research and development processes.