New boron allotrope combines conductivity with flexibility

Researchers have created Imma-B60, a new boron allotrope combining high electrical conductivity with plastic deformability—properties never before paired in boron. The material exhibits conductivity of about 9 × 10² S/m and can undergo plastic deformation of ~23%, opening possibilities for flexible electronics and energy applications.

Imma-B60 shows that boron is capable of exhibiting two different characteristics (conductivity and deformability) simultaneously due to its ability to form various structural arrangements.