Chinese researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in material science, creating single-atom-layer metals 200,000 times thinner than a human hair. The innovation by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Physics (IOP) team, published in Nature, opens new frontiers for technological advancement across industries.
This breakthrough addresses a 20-year challenge in 2D material research, where strong metallic bonds previously prevented the creation of stable 2D metals. Lead scientist Zhang Guangyu explained their novel van der Waals squeezing method enables precise atomic-scale manufacturing of metals like bismuth and gallium. At just one-millionth the thickness of standard paper, these materials could transform entire sectors.
"Imagine compressing a 3-meter metal cube into a layer covering all of Beijing," Zhang illustrated, highlighting the materials' revolutionary scale. The development complements earlier 2D discoveries like graphene, expanding the materials family with 2,000+ theoretical candidates now becoming testable realities.
Team member Du Luojun emphasized the achievement fills critical gaps in fundamental research. Potential applications span ultra-efficient electronics, transparent displays, and advanced catalytic systems—technologies that could redefine energy, computing, and manufacturing.
Global scientists have welcomed this progress as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary innovation. As Zhang noted, "Just as 3D metals shaped ancient civilizations, 2D metals may power humanity's next technological leap." The discovery positions China at the forefront of material engineering while offering new research pathways for international scientific collaboration.
