More than a century after the sinking of the Titanic , the dream of developing unsinkable ships remains a major driving force in engineering research worldwide. In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers at the University of Rochester in the United States have developed metal pipes that do not sink, even when punctured and severely damaged, bringing this concept closer to practical application than ever before.
Engineers have succeeded in creating metal pipes capable of floating permanently, even if they are exposed to a large number of holes or remain submerged in water for long periods. According to the research team, these pipes remain floating no matter how much damage they sustain.
Researcher Chunli Guo says:"Even if you make as many holes as possible in these pipes, they will still be able to float."
How did scientists transform aluminum into a floating metal?
The research was led by Chunli Guo, professor of optics and physics and senior scientist at the Laser Energy Laboratory at the University of Rochester. The results were published on January 27, 2026, in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
The new technology relies on chemically treating the inner surface of aluminum pipes, where microscopic and nanoscale cavities are etched. This treatment makes the inner surface extremely hydrophobic, meaning it strongly repels water and prevents it from adhering.
The trapped air is the secret to permanent buoyancy
When the treated pipe is immersed in water, the water-repellent inner surface traps a stable layer of air inside the pipe. This air layer prevents water from entering, thus preventing the pipe from sinking.
This mechanism is similar to natural solutions found in living organisms, such as diving bell spiders that retain air bubbles underwater, or fire ants that interlock to form floating rafts thanks to the water-resistant properties of their bodies.
Improved design prevents loss of buoyancy
The researchers explained that they added an internal barrier in the middle of the tube, allowing the air to be trapped even when the tube is pushed vertically into the water. This modification ensures the air bubble remains inside the tube and maintains its ability to float in all directions.
It outperformed previous models in terms of stability.
In 2019, the research team had presented floating devices based on water-repellent discs, but those designs lost their effectiveness when exposed to sharp angles or harsh marine conditions.
The new pipe-based design is characterized by its high simplicity and great stability, especially in turbulent environments similar to the conditions of seas and oceans.
And Guo says: "We tested these tubes in very harsh environments for weeks on end, and we did not notice any decrease in their ability to float. Even after causing significant damage and a huge number of holes, they continued to float without problems."
From rafts to ships of the future
Researchers have shown that linking multiple tubes together allows for the formation of stable rafts, opening up possibilities for their use in shipbuilding, marine buoys, and floating platforms. The tests involved tubes of varying lengths, some reaching nearly half a meter.
The team confirmed that this technology is scalable, so that it can support larger loads suitable for real-world uses in maritime transport and marine infrastructure.
Promising potential in the field of renewable energy
In addition to marine applications, researchers have explored the potential of these floating rafts to generate energy from ocean waves. The findings suggest that these robust, floating structures could represent a novel and effective solution for producing electricity from renewable sources.
