biostudies-literatureZhong HKey Research and Development Project of the Yunnan Laboratory for Precious MetalsNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaChina Postdoctoral Science FoundationGu Jianfeng Expert Workstation of Yunnan ProvinceAustralian Research CouncilRMIT Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowshipe03701https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12651096biostudies-literatureUnknown37(47)Nanoporous metals (NPMs) are pivotal for next-generation technologies, yet their inherent mechanical fragility has long hindered practical implementation. Drawing inspiration from the ingenious architecture of the ancient Hakka Tulou walls, a novel class of nanoporous copper (NPCu) materials-skeletal NPCu-is developed to overcome this limitation. To achieve this, we leverage the principles of solidification and dealloying in alloy design to engineer a unique two-phase precursor alloy microstructure. This microstructure comprises a strong, ductile, non-dealloyable skeletal phase (minor phase) and a readily dealloyable principal phase. Upon dealloying, the precursor transforms into skeletal NPCu, achieving exceptional yield strength (200.4 ± 15.2 MPa)-significantly surpassing that of conventAdvanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)Skeletal High-Strength Nanoporous Copper and Metamaterials: The Hakka Tulou Design Heritage.PMC12651096202405AF140041YPML-202405020802023M742258DE23010134452305270DP250103847Liu HLi CWen MSong TZhong HGu JNing ZQian MfalseSkeletal High-Strength Nanoporous Copper and Metamaterials: The Hakka Tulou Design Heritage.Nanoporous metals (NPMs) are pivotal for next-generation technologies, yet their inherent mechanical fragility has long hindered practical implementation. Drawing inspiration from the ingenious architecture of the ancient Hakka Tulou walls, a novel class of nanoporous copper (NPCu) materials-skeletal NPCu-is developed to overcome this limitation. To achieve this, we leverage the principles of solidification and dealloying in alloy design to engineer a unique two-phase precursor alloy microstructure. This microstructure comprises a strong, ductile, non-dealloyable skeletal phase (minor phase) and a readily dealloyable principal phase. Upon dealloying, the precursor transforms into skeletal NPCu, achieving exceptional yield strength (200.4 ± 15.2 MPa)-significantly surpassing that of convent2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-06-05T18:02:10.18Z2026-05-20T03:09:54.615ZS-EPMC126510964075155010.1002/adma.202503701