NC State material combines stiffness with heat insulation

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite that is both stiff and a good thermal insulator. It has a thermal conductivity of about 0.04 W/m·K and a stiffness of 7.7 GPa — 700–10,000 times stiffer than silicone and five times better at blocking heat.

• Thermal conductivity of 0.04 W/m·K matches fiberglass insulation
• Stiffness of 7.7 GPa is close to plastics and wood
• 700–10,000x stiffer than silicone and 5x better insulating
• Flexible carbon chains replaced with rigid benzene rings