The hard carbon aerogel can maintain the super-elasticity in harsh conditions, such as in liquid nitrogen. Based on the fascinating mechanical properties, this hard carbon aerogel has promise in the application of stress sensors with high stability and wide detective range (50 KPa), as well as stretchable or bendable conductors. This approach holds promise to be extended to make other non-carbon based composite nanofibers and provides a promising way of transforming rigid materials into elastic or flexible materials by designing the nanofibrous microstructures.
drifter for rock drill. This innovative tool used high-pressure hydraulic fluid to power a piston that rotated the drill bit, allowing for much greater penetration rates and precision. The hydraulic drifter quickly became the go-to tool for drilling holes in hard rock, paving the way for many of the major engineering projects of the time.