New type of shockproof glass inspired by nature

Canadian scientists have successfully developed glass that mimics the mechanical properties of nacre, increasing the toughness of the material.

Inspired by nacre material often found inside the shells of molluscs such as oysters, researchers from McGill University, Canada have successfully developed a new type of glass with a toughness. excels. Testing has shown that it has much higher impact resistance than current glass types.

The new type of shockproof glass is inspired by nacre in nature.(Photo: Phys).

For the past 15 years, the research team led by mechanical engineer Francois Barthelat has focused on analyzing the structure and mechanical properties of nacre . They found it to be like a brick wall, with many flat and microscopic mineral plates interwoven. They can slip through each other under pressure, helping nacre absorb impact and disperse force, keeping the animal shell from breaking.

To mimic nacre, the team used lasers to carve a grid of squares or hexagons on 220-micron thick borosilicate glass plates. These panels are then stacked on top of each other, alternating thin plastic layers with high distortion, each thickness of 125 micrometers.

Tests show that the new glass is two to three times more resistant to toughened glass and 15 to 24 times that of regular glass. Besides, their transparency is also appreciated when insignificant inferior to existing safety glass.

Barthelat said their fabrication method is not too complicated and can be expanded in industry. New types of glass can be applied in many areas of life such as building or manufacturing auto glass. The group's work was published in Sciene magazine on June 28.