smoot

publicradiointernational:

Scientists have developed a new material six times lighter than air that can support something 40,000 times its own weight. Researchers hope to exploit these properties to make light-weight batteries for electric cars.

Called aerographit, the material is both lightweight and electrically conductive, which means it could be used to create micro-batteries that are much lighter than any battery that currently exists now. This, in turn, would allow electric cars and e-bikes to function more efficiently because of their reduced weight. More.

(Photo: The web of tiny carbon tubes that make up .01 percent of aerographit; 99.99% of the material is air. Courtesy of TUHH)