4 ms·

I wonder if one could 3D-print such structures?

• cordite 8y ago
  The particulates that process might make would be a problem of its own
• egypturnash 8y ago
  "The struts in the researchers' metallic wood are around 10 nanometers wide, or about 100 nickel atoms across. Other approaches involve using 3D-printing-like techniques to make nanoscale scaffoldings with hundred-nanometer precision, but the slow and painstaking process is hard to scale to useful sizes." - TFA
• jarfil 8y ago
  You can 3D print similar structures at a much larger scale. Some of the benefits are retained, like a better overall resistance to weight ratio, some others are not, like increased resistance to localized damage. It's pretty much what different kinds of infill do in 3D prints, which let you control the degree of resistance/deformation of a part in different axes while keeping a low weight.
• jandrese 8y ago
  The article was big on having them self-assemble, which is probably the only practical way to build large quantities of nanoscale materials. Downside of course is controlling for defects.