Unsinkable Ships Are Now Possible, Thanks To These New Metals

Rafts of fire ants and bell spiders have inspired the experts from the University of Rochester to create a type of laser-etched metals that has an incredible floating ability. The metallic structure can repel water so well that it can stay afloat no matter how much it is damaged or how hard you try to push it down. The new material can change a lot of industries.

Some of the future applications the team of experts can think of is unsinkable ships and devices that can work on the oceans for years despite suffering damage of the water.

The material is formed by etching the surface of metals to create nanoscale and micro patterns by femtosecond bursts of lasers. The metals are now superhydrophobic because the patterns trap air inside.

The metals can stay afloat for longer than other materials; however, if it is submerged in water for too long, the hydrophobic properties will start to wear off.

The scientist said that what made their material special is the patterns that trap air inside. In their lab, the team experiments with two plates of aluminum with one side treated and placed them so that the sides with patterns face each other. In this way, the patterns will be protected from abrasion and wear.

The distance between the two plates are calculated to hold just enough air to keep the whole structure floats. The team also made a compartment to prevent water from seeping inside and damage the treated surfaces even if the two plates are underwater.

The team tested the ability of the material to float by placing a weight on it and keep the structure underwater for two months. After that, they remove the weight, and the structure immediately floated. They also punctured it multiple times, but the ability to stay afloat did not seem to be affected.