Ultra-hard Material

About the Product

Company: Tel Aviv University
Product Phase: Under development
Product Type: Stronger steel; Body armor
Patent Name: "Peptide nanostructures containing end-capping modified peptides and methods of generating and using the same"; "Peptide nanostructures encapsulating a foreign material and method of manufacturing same "; "Peptide nanostructures a
Patent Number: 7,786,086; 7,504,383; 7,491,699

Inspiring Strategies

Scales form protective armor: garpike > Organic composite is exceptionally robust: jumbo squid >

Product or process

Scientists in Israel have developed the hardest nanostructure ever created, surpassing even Kevlar. This new material could be used to improve the mechanical properties of composite structures, such as ceramics, glass, and steel. The material is made from beta-amyloid proteins covered with a protective layer that creates microscopic, super-strong spheres. Beside being incredibly hard, the material is also transparent, lightweight, and easy to manipulate.

Challenges solved

Improved material hardness and other physical properties; bulkiness and heaviness associated with most super-hard materials

Differences from existing products

This new material is much lighter and still stronger than similar materials in use today. When the material is ready for use it could grealty reduce the weight of composite structures, reducing fuel and resource usage to implement and transport such structures. Harder materials could also have a longer useful lifespan.

The biomimicry story

In patients with Alzheimer's disease, beta-amyloid proteins containing dozens of amino acids form a plaque that builds up on the brain. The is new material mimics these beta-amlyoid proteins to create a strong biomimetic material.