Move Aside Carbon: Boron Nitride-Reinforced Materials Are Even Stronger
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 11:34
in Physics & Chemistry
When mixed with lightweight polymers, tiny carbon tubes reinforce the material, promising lightweight and strong materials for airplanes, spaceships, cars and even sports equipment. While such carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites have attracted enormous interest from the materials research community, a group of scientists now has evidence that a different nanotube -- made from boron nitride -- could offer even more strength per unit of weight. They publish their results in the journal Applied Physics Letters.