Nano material of a new class
Classical materials such as ceramics, metals and polymers have their typical mechanical properties. They are hard, soft, strong, flexible or stiff. Hamburg research scientists have now synthesized a material that unites several different properties, and could thereby open the way to new applications in medical engineering and manufacturing. The scientists from the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), the University of Hamburg, the Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht and DESY have presented their novel nanocomposite in the journal Nature Materials. This new class of material could for example be suitable for filling dental cavities, or manufacturing watch cases. The materials used in applications like these need to be both hard and damage-tolerant.