ABSTRACT
The notion of designing tougher materials is not a new one. However, it is only in recent years that scientists and engineers have started to develop the fundamental understanding that is needed to guide the design of tougher materials. The key concept in this area is the notion of shielding the crack tip(s) from applied stress(es). When this is done, higher levels of remote stresses can be applied to a material before fracture-critical conditions are reached.
