# Innovative Metallic Wood Materials University of Pennsylvania Engineers' Material is Light & Hefty By Kalin Ned | Published 2019-02-05 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metallic-wood References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2019/02/04/metallic-wood-titanium-university-pennsylvania/) & [upenn.edu](https://www.upenn.edu/) Engineers from the [University of Pennsylvania](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-tubes) are developing a new material from a sheet of nickel that has been cleverly dubbed 'metallic wood.' After alterations, the final product presents 70 percent empty space. The researchers looked toward the natural world for inspiration — an example of how "[porous nature](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara)" can be used for architectural inspiration. Although metallic wood is not ready for commercial use yet, it presents quite a few perks as it promises a [sustainable alternative](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycoworks-reishi) to titanium. It is said that the material is as strong as the lustrous metal but up to five times lighter. Speaking from a theoretical point of view, metallic wood would be "more high performing" and could possibly serve as an alternative for many products — from aircrafts to tennis racquets. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Metallic Wood Materials:** The development of metallic wood materials presents disruptive innovation opportunities for industries looking for sustainable alternatives to heavy metals. - **Porous Nature Inspiration:** Taking inspiration from porous nature, engineers can explore new design possibilities for architectural and structural applications. - **High Performing Alternatives:** The concept of metallic wood materials opens up opportunities for the creation of lightweight, high-performance products in industries such as aerospace and sports equipment. ### Where This Applies - **Aerospace:** The aerospace industry can leverage metallic wood materials to create lighter and more fuel-efficient aircraft components. - **Architecture:** Architects and builders can explore the use of metallic wood materials for innovative and sustainable structural designs. - **Sports Equipment:** The sports equipment industry can incorporate metallic wood materials to develop lightweight and durable products like tennis racquets and golf clubs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Discarded Wood Construction Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodoo.md) - [Wood-Created Progressive Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-jacket.md) - [Ultra-Flexible Hip Implant Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superelastic-alloy.md) - [Unsinkable Metal Vessel Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-tubes.md) - [Sustainable Wooden Natural Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forestbank.md) - [Sculptural Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightness-of-form.md) - [Air-Infused Material Experiments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara.md) - [3D-Printed Wooden Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econitwood.md) - [Self-Shaping Timber Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-flax-pavilion.md)