Any chem/science geniuses out there know what this might mean in terms of practical applications?
Not a chem/science genius but I can speculate about the interior of jet engines and tiles for multi-mach aircraft.
Improved heat tiles, if not for the space shuttle, then for future spacecraft that need to survive re-entry... here, or elsewhere (ie, entry thru the Martian atmosphere).
Welding for one. I go through lots of tungsten electrodes for welding aluminum in my shop. I would think if it is affordable and tough enough new machining methods can be adapted for my traditional CNC milling and lathe work. I think a lot of large scale uses will be dependent on toughness. If it can compete with nickle and titanium (and alloys) for things such as turbine engine blades it will be quite useful. And I’m sure nuclear energy engineers will be salivating over possibilities for reactors.