Introducing one of the top 10 toughest materials on Earth - Graphene Marvel. It takes the form of a single atom-thick flat sheet, composed of carbon atoms with sp2 bonds forming a hexagonal honeycomb lattice. Graphene serves as the fundamental building block for various structures, including graphite, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes. In 2010, scientists Andrei Geim and Konstantin Sergeevich Novoselov discovered Graphene, earning them the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Applications:
- Manufacturing batteries.
- Producing computer microchips.
- Smartphone components.
- Energy cells.
- Bioengineering applications.
Graphene, the extraordinary material with unique properties.Metallic glass, a fascinating material possessing both glass and metal characteristics. Unlike ordered crystalline structures in metals, atoms in metallic glass exist in a disordered state, resembling a liquid or glassy phase. The absence of grain boundaries makes metallic glass significantly stronger. When subjected to impact, it deforms uniformly, thanks to its amorphous atomic arrangement, bouncing back to its original shape. The lack of crystalline grains allows for easy shaping and molding, akin to plastics. Its unique properties have garnered attention in various industries.
Applications of metallic glass include aerospace construction, space exploration equipment, and its utilization in the electrical industry for devices like efficient heat-dissipating transformers. Its ability to melt at lower temperatures compared to other materials makes it suitable for easy casting, similar to plastics. These exceptional attributes make metallic glass a focal point for many innovative companies.
Observation of metallic glass material under electron microscopyBucky Paper, a nano material composed of carbon nanotubes, thinner than a human hair by 50,000 times. Surpassing steel, Bucky Paper is 500 times stronger while being 10 times lighter.
A sheet of Bucky Paper resembles old-fashioned carbon copy typing paper but is much sturdier compared to an equivalent mass of steel. Bucky Paper also exhibits good thermal conductivity and low optical reflectivity.
Buckypaper, a material marvel with unique propertiesLonsdaleite, a hexagonal diamond variant formed naturally when graphite-containing meteorites impact Earth. High temperature and pressure transform graphite into diamond while retaining the hexagonal crystal structure.
Discovered in 1967 from the Canyon Diablo meteorite, Lonsdaleite has a distinctive golden-brown color, refractive index of 2.40-2.41, and density of 3.2-3.3. It surpasses diamond in hardness (over 58%) based on mathematical simulations.
Dyneema Fabric
Diamond is the hardest natural material on Earth with excellent scratch resistance. It is one of the two most well-known crystalline forms of carbon (the other being graphite), exhibiting extremely high hardness and exceptional light dispersion, making it widely used in both industry and jewelry.
Diamond is considered a mineral with nearly perfect physical properties. It is the best material for creating polished surfaces, and only other diamonds or new carbon allotropes like lonsdaleite can cut diamonds. Approximately 150 million carats (30,000 kg) of diamonds are mined annually, with a total value of 10 billion US dollars. Additionally, about 100,000 kg of synthetic diamonds are produced each year.
Applications:
- A gemstone used in jewelry.
- Thermal conductor.
- Optical material.
- Electronics.
Diamond
7. Hexagonal Boron Nitride
Boron nitride is a remarkable heat-resistant and insulating material, a compound of boron and nitrogen with the chemical formula BN. Due to its peculiar hexagonal structure, it is known as hexagonal boron nitride, capable of withstanding forces 18% stronger than diamond. This rare material features a cubic-shaped atomic bonding structure, resembling the atomic structure of boron nitride and diamond. However, the distinction lies in the atoms of this substance connecting at different angles.
At equal pressure, within the durability range of diamonds, the bonds in diamonds react similarly. However, hexagonal boron nitride becomes nearly 80% stronger when subjected to higher pressure. Creating hexagonal boron nitride is quite challenging. In nature, it is only formed through the tremendous pressure and intense heat of erupting volcanoes. Thus, to produce this substance, humans would have to generate similar explosive events, making it extremely difficult to achieve; this has not been attempted to date.
Wurtzite Boron Nitride
Carborundum or Silicon Carbide is a compound of carbon and silicon with the chemical formula SiC. In nature, it appears as the extremely rare mineral moissanite. In 1893, powdered Silicon Carbide was mass-produced for use as an abrasive material. Silicon Carbide particles can be bonded together by sintering to create highly durable ceramics.
Applications:- Vehicle braking systems, clutch assemblies.
- Ceramic plates in bulletproof vests.
Silicon Carbide (SiC)
9. Nanospheres/Nano-Kevlar
Kevlar is a form of para-aramid, a type of synthetic fiber related to aramids like Nomex and Technora. These minuscule self-assembling nano-particles constitute the hardest organic material ever created by humans.
Applications: - Bicycle tires and sailboats.
- Body armor.
The Darwin’s Bark Spider (scientifically known as Caerostris darwini), naturally found in Madagascar, produces a silk tougher and more resilient than any other spider silk. Darwin’s Bark Spider silk is even stronger than Kevlar, a material used in bulletproof vests, by a factor of 10. Analysis of Darwin’s Bark Spider silk reveals it to be the toughest biological material ever known to date.
Spider Silk
Buzz
