Materials with a minimal interaction with particle beams are widely used in accelerators in interceptive instruments such as screens, secondary emission grids and wire scanners. Material damage limits are already exceeded in energy frontier and high brightness machines. A new generation of ‘low density’ materials with nano-structures are becoming available at scales of interest for use in beam instrumentation. Specifications are increasingly of use but still with fundamental issues that limit their application. This paper will demonstrate the potential for this class of materials for beam intercepting materials. It will outline the current limitations and ongoing research to overcome them both in the short and long-term.

Beam Halo Monitoring (BHM) is essential for high-intensity accelerators like the HL-LHC. Carbon Nanotube (CNT) wires offer a promising alternative to traditional carbon fibre scanners due to their lower density, improved thermal properties, and reduced beam interaction. This work evaluates the performance of CNT wires in beam halo diagnostics, focusing on their energy and intensity range, durability, and operational feasibility. Preliminary results show that CNT wires provide better contrast and lower beam perturbation, with enhanced thermal stability under HL-LHC conditions. However, sudden temperature increases lead to significant shape deformation due to catalytic particles sublimating. We discuss challenges in manufacturing, post-processing, and limitations related to wire diameter and density. While CNT wires show strong potential for next-generation scanners, further studies are needed to optimise long-term performance.