A team of researchers have developed a type of glass that is stronger than steel and nearly unbreakable. The findings were reported in Scientific Reports and show evidence that the glass could guarantee stronger windows, table tops and other surfaces. Because natural disasters are always a threat, having stronger foundations could be the key to safety, not to mention that safe and stronger building materials are always necessary in a plethora of industries.
The team has full intention to make it so the glass can be mass-produced, and the manufacturing process is set to be commercialized within the next five years. The way that glass is fortified today is by mixing it with alumina, which is an oxide of aluminum, but in high amounts, the oxide crystalizes upon contact with any kind of container. The team has found a way to bypass the container, and makes it so the components can mix in the air.
The end result is colorless, transparent and glass stronger than steel more durable than any other kind of glass developed before. If mass produced, this glass could change architecture and bring fortified structures to homes, offices and skyscrapers, as well as better building material for new and upcoming technologies. There are few things that are more durable and stronger than steel, so this new finding is bound to bring many changes to aspects of contemporary society.
