Scientists Create Unbreakable Glass – with the Help of Nature

McGill University scientists have created glass with resiliency comparable to plastic: taking cues from nature, the scientists replicated the inner layer of mollusk shells, creating a material that is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass. 

Previous techniques such as tempering and laminating do aid in stronger glass, but there were disadvantages when it came to cost and resiliency. Allan Ehrlicher of Canada’s McGill University stated, “Until now there were trade-offs between high strength, toughness, and transparency. Our new material is […] stronger than the normal glass […] and more fracture-resistant.” 

The scientists, using nature as a blueprint, took the architecture of the nacre – also known as ‘mother of pearl’ -, replicated the structure with glass flakes and acrylic, and produced a strong and transparent material that is cost-effective and easy to produce. The scientists plan to continue working on their new material, using technology to change its color, mechanics, and conductivity.