A nanocellular single crystal nickel based material is provided having a thermal diffusivity in the range of 0.0002 cm{circumflex over ( )}2/s to 0.02 cm{circumflex over ( )}2/s and a thermal conductivity in the range of 0.024 W/mK to 9.4 W/mK. The nanocellular single crystal nickel based material may be used to form turbine engine components. The nanocellular single crystal nickel based material may be produced by providing a first solution containing a nickel precursor and deionized water, providing a second solution containing a structure controlling polymer/surfactant and an alcohol, mixing the first and second solutions into a solution containing a reducing agent to form a third solution, and processing the third solution to create the nanocellular single crystal based material.