Science/Tech

Scientists Develop Glasses That Will Bend But Wont Break

By Kamal Nayan | Update Date: Jan 30, 2014 11:10 AM EST

Now you don't have worry about breaking of the glasses as they are set to be more durable than ever. 

Scientists have developed a next generation glass that simply bends when it observes pressure,instead shattering. The creation comes from the engineers at MacGill University in Canada who have devised a technique that enables the calls simply bend and become slightly deformed when dropped. 

"Mollusk shells are made up of about 95 percent chalk which is very brittle in its pure form," said professor François Barthelat from McGill's department of mechanical engineering in the press release

Engineers were inspired from the mechanics of natural structures likes seashells and worked towards significantly increasing the toughness of the glass. 

"Imagine trying to build a Lego wall with microscopic building blocks. It's not the easiest thing in the world," explained Barthelat. Researchers studied the internal 'weak' boundaries and edges that are found in natural materials like nacre. 

In order to attain such durability, engineers used lasers to engrave networks of 3D micro-cracks in glass slides that resulted in similar weak boundaries. They observed dramatic results as the toughness of the glass slides increased 200 times compared to non-engraved slides. 

To stop the cracks from propagating and eventually become larger, they engraved networks of micro-cracks. 

Researchers explained that the process was scalable up to any size of sheet as logos and patterns are already engraved on glass panels. 

"What we know now is that we can toughen glass, or other materials, by using patterns of micro-cracks to guide larger cracks, and in the process absorb the energy from an impact," said Barthelat.

Engineers also plan to expand the technique to increase to durability of ceramics and polymers in future. 

The report is published in the journal Nature Communications.

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