Aluminum Foil: The Versatile Material

• Aluminum foil is being used in innovative ways, from 3D printing to sculpting.
• It can be stiffened to create corrugated cardboard-like structures.
• Aluminum foil may even have a role in solar energy.

The Buzz Score

The Internet’s Verdict: 70% Hyped, 30% Skeptical

Expert Opinions

Some experts see great potential in aluminum foil.

>Robert Lang recommends laminating tissue paper on one or both sides of kitchen aluminum foil to make “tissue foil”, which for years he considered the ideal origami material.

>Alternatively, though, it might be possible to stiffen the foil by making the equivalent of corrugated cardboard out of it, maybe using aqueous boric acid or borax as the glue.

New Applications

Aluminum foil is also being explored for use in solar energy. One expert notes that it could be significantly cheaper than traditional photovoltaic cells.

Focus Keyword: Aluminum Foil