Captain America’s star-spangled shield can stand up against the universe’s most powerful forces all thanks to vibranium. This fictional and nearly indestructible element absorbs and releases huge amounts of kinetic energy. It is also the stuff of dreams for real materials scientists.

Sam Wilson's time as Captain America has just begun, and Captain America: Brave New World has left the door wide open for a fifth film in the series.

This article contains major spoilers for the ending of “Captain America: Brave New World,” now playing in theaters. Captain America is back — and so are several characters from “The Incredible Hulk,” “Eternals” and more corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.