Carbon Fiber

While the high cost of production has proven a limitation to the widespread adoption of carbon fiber, scientists have found that a small amount of graphene could not only make it more affordable, but possibly stronger and stiffer at the same time.

Although we have seen "morphing" structural materials before, they typically incorporate solenoids, pumps or motors. Now, however, scientists have developed a carbon fiber composite that shifts shape with a simple shot of electricity.

Known for small, powerful lighting solutions, Nitecore turns attention to a different breed of ultralight gadget. The small, lightweight NB10000 carbon fiber charger keeps iPhones powered through 100-mile ultramarathons.

If you've ever been to Vietnam, then you'll have seen the rickshaw taxi-trikes in which the pedaler sits behind the passenger. Well, the Companion Bike is a carbon fiber version of those, that folds inwards for storage and transit.

One of the options on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck is a bed called the CarbonPro. It replaces the usual steel interior of the truck bed with a special carbon fiber that’s both stronger and lighter in weight. We tried it out for ourselves.

Ford has announced a series of upgrades to the 2020 model of its very tasty GT supercar, including a power boost up to 660 horsepower, standard Akrapovic exhausts, and this beautiful, extravagant Liquid Carbon edition, complete with carbon wheels.

John Hennessey believes he's building the world's fastest street car, capable of more than 500 km/h (310.7 mph). To do so, he's put together a blinder of an engine, and now he's revealed the ultra-light, massively strong chassis of the Venom F5.

If a material is going to be used for implants or prostheses, it had better be tough. The carbon fiber produced by Lamborghini may be up to the task, so samples will soon be headed for the ISS – to be tested in the harsh conditions of outer space.

In order to help prevent a guitar's neck losing the fight against the pull of the strings, a metal rod usually runs through it. Rubato Guitars has done away with the truss rod for it first model – named Lassie – instead relying on the stiffness of carbon fiber to keep things nice and straight.

Earth Traveler is developing a different teardrop trailer, a skeletal archway made of lightweight composite. The range-topper will be carbon fiber, but the more interesting version will use a composite made of chicken feathers, for a trailer that's featherlight.

In 2016 we first heard about the KerVelo, a recumbent bike that replaced the chain with a gearhub transmission built into the front wheel. Well, it's now more of a head-turner than ever, with the new carbon fiber Low Racer model being unveiled at last month's Spezi bike show in Germany.

Starting in early June, GMC will begin offering carbon fiber truck beds for its Sierra line of pickups. The Sierra CarbonPro will be offered with the Denali and AT4 half-ton pickups. This is the first purpose-built production carbon fiber truck bed and GMC developed a composite specifically for it.