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Scientists develop aluminium tubes that refuse to sink
Updated On: 18 March, 2026 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
To improve stability, the researchers added a divider inside the tube so the air pocket remains trapped even when the tube is pushed vertically into water.

Pic/University of Rochester
The landscape of industrial fabrication has undergone a seismic shift over the last decade. Standard round and square tubes, once the bread and butter of structural engineering, are increasingly being replaced by complex, non-standard geometries. From the aerodynamic frames of electric vehicles (EVs) and high-performance fitness equipment to the intricate aesthetics of modern architectural facades, irregular extrusions—such as oval, elliptical, D-shaped, and custom-molded profiles—are the new frontier.
However, as product designers push the boundaries of geometry, many manufacturers find themselves hitting a "productivity wall." Traditional saw-cutting, manual drilling, and even adapted flat-bed laser systems often struggle to maintain the tight tolerances required by these sophisticated designs. The challenge isn’t just about making a cut; it’s about mastering dynamic stability in a high-speed environment. This is where purpose-built, special tube laser cutting systems are transforming the industry into a high-precision automated science.

