TRAVELLING faster than the speed of sound has its advantages. Being in London by lunchtime is one. But before the travel time between Tullamarine in Melbourne and Heathrow in London is cut to as little as two hours, there are certain technical hurdles that must be overcome.

One of the barriers is creating aircraft materials that won't melt or malfunction under extreme temperatures reached during hypersonic flight.

Melbourne researchers have come up with an alternative technique of making the ceramic parts needed to withstand temperatures in excess of 3000 degrees, bringing the prospect of travelling to Europe in a few hours closer to reality.

The solution involves ceramics and some clever chemistry.