Christopher J. Hernandez, associate professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and in the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University, has made a new discovery about how seemingly minor aspects of the internal structure of bone can lead to the creation of more durable, lightweight materials for the aerospace industry.Researchers led by Hernandez used a 3D printer to manufacture bone-inspired material made from a urethane methacrylate polymer and then tested its durability. They were able to increase the material’s fatigue life by up to 100 times by strengthening internal rod-like struts.