Russian researchers with Siemens are adding carbon nano particles called fullerenes to aluminium to obtain a new lightweight but tough material.

According to the company, when aluminium is enhanced with fullerenes, the resulting material is roughly three times harder than conventional composites but weighs much less.

Siemens said that it is envisaging a variety of applications for the hard aluminium including turbines with lighter rotors for better efficiency or as cable coatings.

(Sourced from www.worldal.com)