Right. Going back to the original message though, this doesn't say anything about whether or not this is the right path.

It's definitely a path.

If this material exhibits the properties that the authors claim, then it most definitely is a massive step in the right direction. If so, the material can be applied in a significantly large number of settings at much lower upkeep costs. It can also lead us to another set of materials that might exhibit these properties at 20c/1atm.