Attached below is a couple of article posted from arstechnica.com https://arstechnica.com/science/201...rk-swims-so-fast-lies-in-its-flexible-scales/ https://arstechnica.com/science/201...ecrets-of-knitting-to-make-bespoke-materials/ It appears material science in not all about exotic materials such as aerogel, foamed aluminum, graphine, or the nano scale. Micro structure, genetic engineering where cheap and artificial silk with superior properties can be made from goats, or even how one structures the material can have a huge difference in product usefulness and application. What also comes to mind is the likely increasing usefulness of space based manufacturing and being able to utilize materials found in space for cost savings on long term and large scale projects. As a bonus, should we have a well equipped manufacturing spaceship, we could be in a position to effectively resolve certain asteroid threats. One significant issue seems to be our ability to use machine tools for mining because of metal embrittlement to due space temperatures near absolute zero. Perhaps certain metal alloys that use radioisotopes for internal heating might work.
What is new is the lower cost and increasing production of graphene. This opens up greater product opportunities for the mainstream.