An illustration shows the features of graphene tubes under camera and microscopic view. [Photo: cas.cn]

Chinese scientists have discovered a "super material" that is as light as a balloon yet strong as metal. This substance could be developed for military use, as was reported by South China Morning Post on September 23, 2015.

The foam-like material was created by forming tiny tubes of graphene into a cellular structure, which is as stable as that of a diamond, said the study led by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shanghai Institute of Ceramics.

The 207 times stronger than steel material can withstand a weight 40,000 times of its own without bending. The high resilience also allows the material to be squeezed to just 5 per cent of its original size and still return to its original shape.

The material, as indicated by the study, can be used as the cushion under the bulletproof vest, or even as the shock-absorbing armor of tanks.