Is this the lightest material in the world?

The worlds lightest material known to science has a structure that is made out of around 99.99% air (says aerospace company - Boeing). The name of the material goes by Microlattice; the lightest metallic structure ever made. In fact the material is so light it can actually balance on top a dandelion; however, don't be fooled, for the material is very strong.

The micro lattice is a 3D open cellular polymer structure and can be compared with the structure of our bones. On the outside we have a very rigid structure but the inside is actually quite hollow with an open cellular structure that helps keep them light weight just like the microlattice.

Some of the properties as stated in the film shows how it reacts to compression in the sense of its energy absorption and air movement in terms of having very hollow tubes.

One of the main applications that Boeing has been investigating is the possibility of using microlattice for the material in aeroplanes for the use of wall or floor panels, helping to save weight on a flight which will therefore make the plane more fuel efficient. 

Sophia Yang, a research scientist at HRL Laboratories (a joint boeing venture) stated "that it's exciting to work with things that we make, that can then be used in a real product which users can interact with".

HRL laboratories also does research and development from General Motors, so we may see the material pop up in automobiles in the future too.

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