Engineers create world's first floating titanium lattice metamaterial

RMIT researchers 3D-printed a titanium lattice with hollow struts filled with polyurethane foam, letting water flow through while keeping the structure afloat even after severe cracking. At equal density it is 70% stronger than stainless steel or high-density polyethylene, and lost just 0.15% of its mass after two weeks in seawater.

• Samples stayed afloat in freshwater for more than two months
• At equal density the lattice is 70% stronger than steel or polyethylene
• Two weeks in seawater caused 0.15% mass loss and under 1% strength loss
• A printed buoy stayed stable when rotated up to 45 degrees without a sealed casing