The paper discusses the development of tough, bio-inspired hybrid materials by mimicking natural structures. The authors combine aluminum oxide and polymethylmethacrylate to create ice-templated structures that exhibit over 300 times the toughness of their individual components. These bulk hybrid ceramic materials, with high yield strength and fracture toughness, are comparable to aluminum alloys. The key to their success lies in the hierarchical design, which allows for multiple toughening mechanisms at various length scales. The study highlights the importance of controlling microstructural features to achieve unique combinations of strength and toughness, similar to natural materials like nacre and bone. The mechanical properties of these hybrid composites, including their ability to undergo significant inelastic deformation and exhibit R-curve behavior, are detailed, emphasizing their potential for advanced engineering applications.The paper discusses the development of tough, bio-inspired hybrid materials by mimicking natural structures. The authors combine aluminum oxide and polymethylmethacrylate to create ice-templated structures that exhibit over 300 times the toughness of their individual components. These bulk hybrid ceramic materials, with high yield strength and fracture toughness, are comparable to aluminum alloys. The key to their success lies in the hierarchical design, which allows for multiple toughening mechanisms at various length scales. The study highlights the importance of controlling microstructural features to achieve unique combinations of strength and toughness, similar to natural materials like nacre and bone. The mechanical properties of these hybrid composites, including their ability to undergo significant inelastic deformation and exhibit R-curve behavior, are detailed, emphasizing their potential for advanced engineering applications.