Bending Glass That Doesn’t Break

We are used to thinking about glass as a brittle and fragile object. If you knock it too hard it will crack and even worse shatter altogether. However the latest research being conducted by scientists at the McGill University is likely to end in the production of a type of glass which can be more durable in nature.

This highly shatter proof glass is likely to bend and dis-form  without breaking. The toughness of the glass will be greatly enhanced making it a viable option for a number of commercial uses. The inspiration for this new technology is said to be mollusk sea shells. These shells are made up 95% of chalk, which as you know is a highly brittle substance.

However the mollusk shells are made hard and durable by the inner coating of nacre. Nacre, which is also known as mother of pearl, is made up of microscopic tablets a little like Lego blocks. These provide the strong infrastructure to the shells that they need to survive in the sea.

Earlier attempts to replicate the nacre structure have not been successful. The challenge has now been taken up by the researchers headed by Professor Francois Barthelat. The science project they are undertaking will be a major learning process even if they do not manage to succeed in their mission.