Microstructure breakthroughs to dramatically enhance material properties
September 14, 2012
DARPA’s Materials with Controlled Microstructural Architecture program combines engineering principles developed for large structures with emerging fabrication techniques to engineer and control the architecture of a material’s microstructure and develop materials with tailored properties (credit: DARPA)
With its Materials with Controlled Microstructural Architecture (MCMA) program, DARPA seeks breakthroughs or dramatic improvements in strength, weight and other properties of materials.
With current technologies, materials are generally made using bulk processing methods. Bulk processing limits material properties because it provides insufficient control of the morphology, or form, within a material’s microstructure, which allows for flaws in materials.
Novel materials
Control at the microstructure level allows researchers to develop materials with greatly enhanced properties. For instance, as demonstrated in the video below, DARPA was able to construct a material so light that it can rest atop a bubble. MCMA researchers are working toward the goal of developing a material that is as strong as steel, but as light as a plastic. To do so, they are exploring the full range of properties that can be manifested as functions of truss design and weight in a material’s microstructure.
DARPA has also developed lightweight materials that can absorb energy without failing, or breaking. As shown in the following video — previously released in conjunction with a journal article on ultralight metallic microlattices — the nickel microtruss structure can achieve a 40% strain level without collapsing; in fact, it fully recovers its form. DARPA is exploring how much strength and energy absorption can be combined in the same material without damaging it.
The ultimate objective of the MCMA program is to be able to develop materials in the future with properties tailored to meet specific mission requirements.
Comments (8)
by asiwel
All this military huffing and puffing aside, this article and the evolution of the underlying science and engineering fields are so exciting and amazing. This is what the “new generation” of young mechanical and civil engineers are studying nowadays, as opposed to how to make a better sword or plow or mousetrap. The same thing in bioinformatics and synthetic biology, etc., as opposed to examining the number of bumps on the head or lines in the palm. With increased knowledge and understanding, the focus is returning to models and causes and effects and truly “intelligent designs”, rather than the study of symptoms and almost random screening of empirical “cures” without understanding why they work. We are fortunate to live in amazing times.
by Katherine MacLean (old science fiction writer and research fan
Lightweight strong materials are the few to liftoff from Earth to space and our planets. If settled through DARPA it will make space an american industrial empire as the British business settlement of the ports of Earth became the British Empire. America and our constitution and bill of rights are a spinoff from the British Enpire. . Nothing wrong with an empire of manufacturing. Military rationing and organization can do it well, as long as trhe military go to the scientists’ model of free speech (insubordinate equal discussion of better ways to handle new situations. .just leave on Earth the mad gambling on the Stock Market .and go with the courage of fast redesigning old ways of work. It needs the American disrespectful attitude to old ways and central command Plus dedication to the job and the goals
by melajara
I love your mindset.
Speaking about the British Empire, I think the Brits will be more insterested by Pippa’s idea to use in due time this material, bubble included, for a lovelly, very comfortable and so cute crown for her sister’s coronation ;-)
by Mr.X
Haha.Funny.If I understood what you said, then the military (at least where I am from) already works that way.Since WW2 where this decentralization of decisions started (one of the reasons the French were overrun- Monsieur le General was dining in Paris but had the sole power of decision).
Otherwise I do not think that your virtues are something inherently US-American. Scientists, writers, businessmen everywhere need them to succeed.
PS: The stock market stuff comes from your country.
PPS: In case you did not notice, you are not the only one’s interested in space, who are active in “space”.Do you want to exclude us others by force? Is there not enough space out there^^
by Bri
The stock market stuff comes from America. Sorry, financial institutions are global. Everybody dank the same koolaid at the same time. The collapse came from our country. We love to pig out on stuff that can kill us. We like to excel at everything. Greed and gluttony are particular favorites. It’s no accident that the dollar is the defacto currency. For better or for worse, we have our hands in everything.
by Gorden Russell
Light materials that rebound from crushing could lead to new body armor.
by Bri
Since it’s DARPA again I’ll continue the military theme, it’s oh so popular. What our military is capable at any one given moment in time is only what they are willing to show. It in it’s self is meant as a deterent. If you build up your forces, it’s perceived as a threat. If WWlll were to happen, our manufacturing would be put into full implementation mode. Then all the really good toys come out. As I said the best war is the one not fought, but think of it as a poker game. You don’t tip your hand!
by Mr.X
No offense intended but your first sentence seems a bit out of order .
If I do not show my knife that does not mean I can’t stabb you.
This conspiracy theory of US-UFO’s and machine guns that destroy whole countries with ease, seems to be a running theme in your writing (Jk, lightly exaggerated).
It’s nice that you believe in your country.I have two questions, if they are not too personal (you seem to be rather “outgoing”): Did you serve, and when?
Your army is already pretty big, and considered a threat in many parts of the world.But that’s not important in your situation (economy, wpms etc).It also helps keep down unemployment, and maybe even prevent the one or other individual of leading a less glorious life;)
Your point of manufacturing seems to be solely restricted to the USA (in your point of view).
E.g you may say:Greece has an bigger Army than Germany.But we have over 3 million people who have been soldiers and could be drafted, and enought production capacitiy to arm them.
For example we had to supply France and Britian in their fight against Libyia (they have the same planning issues they had in WW2).
If someone attacks Europe, the later would build it’s own high-tech weapons (which we certainly have, mostly non-military US-citizens think us weak.I had a nice conversation about this phenomen with “someone”, but I’d have to ask him for permission to post it- and then he knows that I still did not stop “arguing” on the internet^^) in great numbers.Of course, that would be costly (maintenance) to have as standing army, and would mean we have to compete with the USA more openly (since we would have to use the military, and that’s not exactly popular in Europe)- that’s why we mostly sell stuff.
Now you can say: We have specialized this and that.But that does not mean much.You can use 30 different types of bombers- we just build one really good Air Superiority fighter en mass.
Do you know why R&D is so important to your military (business aside): Nobody want’s to miss the Next Big Thing (e.g as in centuries before, NBT were for example: Battleships, Airpower,Aircraft carrier, etc).If that Next Thing is sufficently strong it could decide a war before others can copy (the way Englands battleships around 1500 [can't remeber] did, or the way strong AI maybe could,and advanced nanotechnology certainly would).
The fact that you constantly invade countries (Afghanistan, Iraq) does not strengthen your claim that your army is only for deterence.Let’s be honest, it’s there to enforce supplies for your Economy (big business has way too much influence in the USA), and, if need be, surpress the population just like in the Great depression.I do not know the man, but there are some talks from a certain Ron Paul on that (know someone who is big on that guy, but I was right as I said he won’t be president^^)
Although I disagree with many of his political views, Chomsky has much to say about these topics.Some of his lectures are for free on youtube.
I’d like to give my sources for each claim, but posting links is barely tolerated.Have a nice day, and please forgive me if you think me stupid.After all, it may not entirely be my fault.