Abstract: This invention provides a hybrid material that exhibits strength, stiffness and ability to resist high temperatures. This hybrid material essentially consists of component A and component B. Component A is selected from the group consisting of inorganic compounds, oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and combinations thereof. Component B is selected from the group comprising elemental carbon, inorganic compounds, oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and combinations thereof. Component B comprises a plurality of units, each of the units substantially exhibiting a shape, such that this shape substantially exhibits a long dimension and a short dimension, with the short dimension being in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the long dimension and the short dimension being in the range from 0.1 nm to 0.5 ?m. Each of the units of component B is substantially in contact with and substantially bonded to at least one of the units of component A.