Glass That Will Bend, But Not Break

Researchers have discovered a new way to make glass that may change and benefit all of society today. This glass was inspired by seashells. The scientists studied the inside of mollusk shells, specifically the coating like nacre or mother of pearl. It is extremely tough, looking like a bunch of minuscule tablets fit together like Lego blocks. In order to make the glass, scientists use lasers to carve mini networks of cracks into the weaker interior of nacre. These cracks were prevented from getting larger by being filled with polyurethane, but the scientists reported that the substance was actually just a precaution and not a necessity. This substance is 200 times stronger than regular glass, and if dropped will only bend and not break. The group of researchers think that the glass is extremely practical, economical, and could be made on a large scale. It could potentially replace all of the glass we know today.

http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/new-kind-of-glass-will-bend-but-does-not-break/