When less is more: Scaling law explains why ultrathin materials get stronger as they get thinner

One of the most fascinating aspects of physics is that nature often behaves in ways that seem completely counterintuitive.

A good example comes from ultrathin materials.

If I take a sheet of material and make it thinner and thinner, most people would expect it to become weaker.

After all, there is less material left to bear a load. ...