Researchers Develop World's Lightest Material

U.S. researchers develop world's most lightweight materials. This new material has a density of 0.9 milligrams per cubic centimeter or 100 times lighter than styrofoam.Unique structure called a micro-lattice to be the secret behind such a light weight. This architecture can accommodate the composition 99.99 percent of air and 0.01 percent solids on nanoscale (one billionth of a meter), so it becomes a unified whole.

"The trick is to make the lattice is connected with a hollow tube with a wall thickness of 1000 times thinner than human hair," said the head of the research team and HRL Laboratories Tobias Schaedler's University of California, Irvine, last week.

Micro-grid architecture also provides a breakthrough in material characters that not found in any metal in the world. Micro-lattice can withstand pressures up to 50% of the beginning and can absorb large amounts of energy.This ultra-lightweight materials developed by the University of California and California Institute of Technology at the initiative of the Defense Advanced Research Agency.

Later, this material will be used as electrode materials in batteries, absorbing vibration, acoustic absorbers, to store energy.Materials group manager at HRL Laboratories, William Carter, explains, this new material mimics the concept of building a stately but light built in modern times, such as the Eiffel Tower and Golden Gate Bridge.

Both buildings are standing strong with relatively light overall weight. "We brought the concept of this building to the nanoscale," Carter said.
/PHYSORG /
/image:newstoday.co.uk/

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Tolerance Ad Criticized

The photo of Pope Benedict XVI kissed a Sunni Muslim Imam, Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb, posted on all outlets owned by Benetton, the Italian clothing company. Not only that, a picture of President Barack Obama was also seen kissing Chinese President Hu Jintao. Benetton claimed the photos were part of tolerance and anti-hate ads.

This noble intention apparently got loud protests from the Vatican. Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the ad may offend religious sentiment to the faithful adherents.

"This shows a serious lack of respect for the Pope," he said. The photo was also featured on the Benetton website. The ad is only displayed for one hour after protests from the Vatican.

"We are sorry that the use of images of the Pope and Imam has offended sensibilities of the faithful. We have drawn from all the publicity, "said Benetton. Benetton argued photographs of political leaders and religious kissing is a symbol of reconciliation.Benetton was hoping that the ads can stimulate reflection on how the political, security, and ideas when conflicting can lead to dialogue and mediation. The rejection also came from the White House. "The White House rejected the use of the president for commercial purposes," said White House spokesman, Eric Schultz.

/Dailymail/
/image:timesofmalta.com/

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