The new thermal-resistant material opens new paths to military and civil systems.

"Colorized scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) image showing a Cu3Li precipitate in the Cu-Ta-Li alloy. The orange-colored features are primarily Cu atoms in the alloy matrix, while the blue and yellow features correspond to the Cu3Li precipitate. The yellow represents Ta atoms in the atomic bilayer complexion, and the blue features represent Li atoms in the core of the Cu3Li precipitate. Credit: Lehigh University" (ScitechDaily, Defying Thermal Limits: Scientists Create a New, Ultra-Strong, Heat-Resistant Material)

The 2D lattice material called Cu-Ta-Li (Copper, Tallium, Lithium) is one of the newest and most promising materials for lightweight armor. That material itself has good thermal resistance. And strength against punches. The metal structure is very strong. All types of 2D materials have different qualities. There are two base types of 2D lattice materials. 

1) Homogenous 2D materials like graphene. Those material layers are formed by only one type of atom. That makes those materials conduct energy over them very effectively. 

In materials like graphene, the structure can form standing waves in the net. But those waves travel away from the net. 

2) Heterogeneous 2D materials. They are chemical compounds that form a 2D lattice. In those materials, energy can form standing waves. But it has pockets where it can go. 

2D lattice materials like graphene are so promising. Because they are strong. Energy impulses travel over that lattice faster than in 3D materials. When energy impacts the 3D material atoms move back and forth like balls. That movement breaks the 3D structure. In 2D material energy cannot move vertically. Or if it travels between two layers it travels to another entirety. 

"Graphene is an atomic-scale honeycomb structure made of carbon atoms. (Wikipedia, Graphene)

The thing that breaks material is the fast changes in the energy levels. When something heats graphene very much. And then decreases its temperature those atoms deliver their extra energy. That forms the standing waves in the graphene rings. The energy waves that reflect from those standing waves destroy the structure. 

If there is some kind of space like other atoms that can pull energy into them. That decreases those standing wave's power. When we think of hybrid- or heterogenic 2D materials. The position or type of those other atoms is not the same. 

There can be another atom layer like a metal lattice between graphene layers. Or there can be another atom ring in the carbon ring whose purpose is to pull energy impulses into it. There can be things like DNA nano springs or metal pillars that keep those structures away from each other. 

Those materials share energy over the layer to larger areas than in regular 3D materials. The energy travels away from the lattice faster than in 3D materials. 

There is only a horizontal layer. That can keep energy in it. 

The heat resistance depends on the material's ability to conduct energy out from it. Without causing standing waves.

Those waves can push atoms in the structure away. And break it. One way to make energy travel away from the layer is just decrease its outer edge temperature. That makes energy to travel from the center to the edge. Heat travels over the lattice but not between lattices. 

That means that the 2D materials must keep their 2D form so that their quality stands. The layers or lattices must be separated and that means there must be pillars or some nano springs that keep those layers away. And minimize energy conduction between those atom lattices. 

The 2D lattice can also turn more resistant against heat if small-size laser rays are shot through that network's holes. Nanotechnical lasers shoot beams through the holes in carbon or metal molecules. And that system can act as a thermal pump. Another way is to inject things like Bose-Einstein condensate into the 2D materials. When material temperature rises too high, ultra-cold powder conducts energy into it. That increases the material's resistance against temperature. 

https://scitechdaily.com/defying-thermal-limits-scientists-create-a-new-ultra-strong-heat-resistant-material/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene#