Here's an exciting story about materials: UK defense and technology firm QinetiQ has built a solar-powered plane that could fly indefinitely. Called the Zephyr, it recently flew for over 80 hours after being launched from the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground.
Says QinetiQ:
Launched by hand, Zephyr is an ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre aircraft. By day it flies on solar power generated by amorphous silicon solar arrays no thicker than sheets of paper that cover the aircraft's wings. By night it is powered by rechargeable lithium-sulphur batteries, supplied by SION Power Inc, which are recharged during the day using solar power.
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