Domestic researchers have developed a lightweight yet strong material using NANO structures. It is anticipated that in the future, it can be applied in various industries such as aerospace and automotive through customized designs.
A research team led by Professor Yoo Seung-hwa from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a NANO lattice structure that maximizes lightweight properties while maintaining high stiffness and strength in collaboration with the research team from the University of Toronto, led by Tobin Pheliter. The results of this study were published on Jan. 23 in the international journal "Advanced Materials."
The research team first chose a beam form of the lattice structure to create a lightweight and sturdy design. They utilized a "Multi-objective Bayesian Optimization" algorithm to achieve optimal design while considering various conditions such as strength, weight, and stiffness simultaneously. This approach analyzes various elements based on existing data to derive optimal designs, allowing for a reduction in the number of experiments with minimal data. Thanks to this method, the team successfully designed an optimal lattice structure using only about 400 data points.
In addition, the research team utilized thermally decomposed carbon materials to maximize the effects of improved mechanical properties like strength and hardness as the size decreases to the NANO level. This material exhibits minimal deformation and high strength even at high temperatures, making it suitable for semiconductor equipment and artificial joint coatings. The team used it to implement a lightweight yet sturdy NANO lattice structure.
In the production process, they employed an advanced 3D printing technique called "Multi-focus 2PP" that uses lasers. This technology helps create NANO structures more quickly by utilizing multiple focal points simultaneously. The research team confirmed that this approach can yield structures with strength comparable to steel while being as lightweight as Styrofoam. They also verified that it can produce structures at the millimeter scale while maintaining precision.
Professor Yoo noted, "This research is an innovative solution to the stress concentration problem often pointed out as a limitation of existing design methods through the development of a three-dimensional NANO lattice structure. It is expected to meet the lightweight demand in the aerospace and automotive industries and open up possibilities for various industrial applications through customized designs."
References
Advanced Materials(2025), DOI : https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202410651