1. Voile
This lightweight and translucent fabric is composed of a woven mesh made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. Voile is often used in fashion design to create flowy, diaphanous garments that drape elegantly on the body. It has a total production capacity of approximately 10 million square meters per year. The fabric's name originates from French, where "voile" means "veil," reflecting its ethereal and airy texture.
2. Basalt Fiber
This synthetic fiber is made by polymerizing basalt rocks to create strong, heat-resistant strands. Basalt fiber is commonly used in the automotive industry for making body panels due to its high tensile strength and thermal insulation properties. It has a global production capacity of about 1,000 metric tons per year. The first commercial production of basalt fiber began in Sweden in the early 2000s.
3. Graphene
This highly conductive material is composed of a two-dimensional lattice structure made from carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern. Graphene has a wide range of applications due to its exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. It has a global production capacity of approximately 500 metric tons per year. In 2020, graphene-based products were valued at over $1 billion worldwide.
4. Aerogel
This ultra-lightweight material is composed of a network of silicate particles suspended in air, creating a structure that is almost impossible to compress or break. Aerogel's low density and high thermal insulation properties make it an ideal insulator in refrigeration, construction, and aerospace industries. It has been used in various applications since its discovery in the 1930s by American chemist Samuel Stephens Kistler.
5. Nanocrystalline Diamond
This synthetic material is composed of diamond crystals with a crystallite size smaller than 50 nanometers. Nanocrystalline diamond possesses superior hardness, thermal conductivity, and optical transparency compared to natural diamond. Its unique properties make it suitable for applications such as high-performance cutting tools, electronic components, and biomedical implants.