Newly proven materials reach the limits of hardness, and are extremely light

Scientists have proven that the new 3D metamaterial they designed is the first structure of this type to reach the limit of the theory of hardness.

Known as Isomax , this material has a hard sponge component, which is formed by repeating the geometric shaped cells. Structures like these are an example of heterogeneous materials (materials made up of different components), although Isomax is mostly filled with air and free space, it is actually is the hardest synthetic material ever designed.

"Isomax's geometry is maximized for rigidity in all directions," explains Jonathan Berger, a materials scientist from UC Santa Barbara.

Berger first formed the idea of ​​Isomax design in 2015, when he was looking for a material with the largest and lightest hardness possible. The idea to form materials is to find a 3D structure with repetitive compartments (such as honeycomb), which has the most rigidity possible and impact resistance.

This material is made by repeating the cells with geometric shapes.

Recently, in a report, Berger and his team backed up their computer model with new calculations showing that for the first time Isomax's geometric structure has reached the limit of hardness. (This limit was built by a theorem called Hashin-Shtrikman's limit).

"There is a lot of positive feedback about it (2015)," Berger said, "but as a scientist, it's just waving your hands until you can really create it."

Isomax has not been put into production, but what makes this material so hard is theoretically a combination of two basic shapes: a triangle and a cross. Using these two motifs, Isomax repeated the compartments forming many small pyramids reinforced by internal walls.

According to the researchers, the intersecting walls are the perfect structure to prevent direct impact impacts, while pyramid shapes create stability and resist shear forces from opposing directions. .

Because Isomax is made up of compartments, Isomax is mostly empty space and sponge makes it extremely light, Berger describes it as "the most effective sponge in the universe".

"It has certain symmetry, is arranged together and reaches the limit of rigidity theory, there is no such material as material," he explained in 2015.

Isomax is an excellent material for sound insulation and insulation.

The team's next step is to learn more about this metamaterial's ability in practice.

Experimental analysis will allow them to test Isomax's physical hardness in the laboratory, and they are also considering the process of producing this material.

Once put into production, the team predicts Isomax will be used in everything from life to body prostheses (such as prosthetics, prosthetics).

"It is also an excellent material for sound insulation and insulation," said Haydn NGWadley, one of the researchers from the University of Virginia.