Researchers at the Yekaterinburg-based Institute of Engineering Science (a Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) have received a $70,000 government grant for the development of technology to make super-strong and ultra-lightweight material for aerospace and sports applications, the Russian news agency TASS , citing a source at the Sverdlovsk Regional Ministry of Industry and Science.

The new material is reportedly being developed as a compound based on aluminum which is strengthened with silicon carbide.

“Its superb strength makes it possible to use the material in aerospace and other sectors. Technologies like this one are hardly available elsewhere across Russia,” the regional authorities said.

The scientists started by developing computer models to test the feasibility of a future production process and study the properties of materials involved. Today, engineers have received the first samples of the material and will be testing them on modern equipment.