The new form of carbon was discovered years ago, but its odd properties were relatively unknown until now.

 

A new study shows that carbyne, made up of a chain of carbon atoms linked by alternate triple and single bonds or consecutive double bonds, is actually twice as strong as graphene, and exhibits unusual characteristics that make it appealing for a wide range of uses.

 

Scientists have long believed graphene to be the world's strongest material.

 

Carbyne, like graphene, is just one atom thick. That means it has an extremely large surface area; according to Extreme Tech, a single gram of graphene has a surface area of roughly five tennis courts.