https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/04/11/metallic-wood-new-material-that-is-as-strong-as-titanium-but-5-times-lighter/

>Although it’s not a new element and basically consists of nickel, it is four to five times lighter than titanium thanks to its unique porous construction which is similar to natural materials such as wood: hence the name Metallic Wood.

>Pikul’s method starts with tiny plastic spheres, a few hundred nanometers in diameter, suspended in water. When the water is slowly evaporated, the spheres settle and stack like cannonballs, providing an orderly, crystalline framework. Using electroplating, the same technique that adds a thin layer of chrome to a hubcap, the researchers then infiltrate the plastic spheres with nickel. Once the nickel is in place, the plastic spheres are dissolved with a solvent, leaving an open network of metallic struts

>The pores make the 70% of the Metallic Wood which makes its density close to that of water. This feature may allow the material to float. Additionally, the pores can be filled with other materials such as energy storing substances. The latter would allow having various devices whose bodies double as batteries. Another potential advantage of this material could be its cost because it is made of relatively cheap nickel. Of course, that would be possible if the manufacturing technology is made cost-effective, too.