Researchers from the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with Rice University, report a single-layer amorphous carbon material alongside a new two-dimensional form that appears eight times stronger than graphene. The finding signals a potential leap for durable, high‑performance components across future technologies.
Graphene remains among the strongest materials known, yet a major drawback is how quickly cracks propagate once they start, making the material brittle. This fragility limits its use in devices that demand high mechanical reliability.
The new material, like graphene, is built as a single layer of carbon atoms. It features a heterogeneous architecture that blends crystalline and irregular regions, a combination that helps resist fracture and slows crack growth.
As explained by Boongki Shin, a coauthor of the study, this architecture curbs crack propagation and lets the material absorb more energy before failure.
To probe the mechanical features, researchers performed in situ observations with a scanning electron microscope, watching crack formation unfold in real time. They also carried out atomistic computer simulations to reveal how amorphous and crystalline regions interact to stop cracks from spreading.
Previously such investigations were difficult because creating and visualizing atomically precise materials was challenging. But advances in synthesis methods and high-resolution microscopy now enable these analyses and offer a clear view of how the different carbon regions cooperate.
Scientists say this breakthrough may pave the way for durable, stable components in the technology of tomorrow, including flexible electronics, protective coatings, and energy devices where mechanical reliability matters.
Earlier studies had already suggested quantum aspects in atomic behavior, a line of inquiry that this work builds upon by showing how quantum-level interactions can influence macroscopic strength and resilience.