New "Metallic Wood" Is as Strong as Titanium But Much Lighter

An anonymous reader writes: Titanium has long been touted as the metal of the future, due to its strength, rust resistance, and amazing lightness. Now researchers have discovered a way to create a new "metallic wood" material that is as strong as titanium, but five times lighter. It was created by building tiny plastic spheres, suspending them in water, allowing the water to evaporate, and then electroplating the spheres with nickel. Researchers then dissolved the plastic spheres, producing an incredibly strong, porous metal that floats on water.