China's new ceramic won't fail even if frozen, twisted, or torched

Researchers at China’s Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics have developed a novel ultralight ceramic aerogel that combines exceptional mechanical flexibility with superior thermal insulation, even under extreme conditions. Unlike traditional ceramics, which are brittle and prone to cracking under stress or high temperatures, this new material can be twisted, compressed up to 98%, frozen to liquid-nitrogen temperatures (−196 °C), and heated to red-hot levels (2,732°F/1,500 °C) without shattering or losing its insulating properties. The aerogel’s unique resilience is attributed to its nanofiber network microstructure, which acts like a 3D spring, allowing fibers to bend and slide to distribute stress and prevent catastrophic failure. A key innovation behind this ceramic’s performance is the use of a “high entropy” approach, where five different metal atoms are randomly mixed within the crystal lattice. This atomic-level “chaos” inhibits heat propagation and structural relaxation at high temperatures, enhancing both thermal stability and elasticity