Impact-proof glass could be the next big step in safety, electronics, construction, and more. A team of researchers led by engineers from Tohoku University has introduced a study demonstrating a method to make impact-proof glass. This super durable material functions on a molecular level, enabling more resistance to shatter. Here’s everything you need to know about impact-proof glass and how it could revolutionize multiple industries moving forward.
How Glass Breaks
To fully grasp the monumental nature of this research, you need to understand how traditional glass breaks. When most people think of glass shattering it’s impact force. A hard or fast-moving object hits the glass and causes it to break apart in weaker areas of the material. This is the most common type of break and is also among the most dangerous because it can result in shards of sharp glass shooting all over an area.
Thermal Pressure
Another reason for glass breakage is thermal discrepancies. Glass needs to be created in a specific manner to handle thermal dynamics properly. If not, the material can heat up and even melt under the right conditions, like spacecraft reentering the atmosphere.
Another cause of thermal breaking occurs due to the surface building up residual coverage, resulting in uneven heating of the glass. When only a select area of a piece of glass gets heated or frozen, it can result in warping and eventual shattering under the right conditions.
Flexing
Flexing and twisting breaks are more common in construction scenarios. Builders have to take into account the way their structures move in the wind under different atmospheric conditions and temperatures. An incorrectly installed or engineered window can suddenly shatter under the twisting force of a building in a strong windstorm or earthquake.
Internal Manufacturing Process
The last way that glass shattered is due to a faulty internal manufacturing process. There are many different types of glass, each with a special mixture required to ensure its quality. If a glass pain is incorrectly mixed during its manufacturing process, it can result in internal stress. This stress will lead to the weakening of materials under certain scenarios.
This type of break has become more common due to the creation of more complex laminated and tempered glass materials. In some instances, the mixture will result in the glass becoming weak in a particular section due to its chemical makeup rather than the external forces. This is common when thermal forces are applied.
Different Glass Breaks Differently
Researchers have long understood the importance of engineering glass which can withstand the environment it was designed to work within. As such, there are now a lot of different types of glass available to handle the many roles it plays.
Annealed Glass
Annealed glass is the most common type used today. Its design has been around the longest and it shatters like you would expect, creating large sharp jagged pieces. Annealed glass has seen reduced usage nowadays due to safer alternatives. However, it’s still the easiest, cheapest, and most widely produced glass today.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is a special type of mixture that ensures the glass will shatter into smaller pieces. This style of glass is considered safer than traditional glass because shards can result in injuries as they can act like flying knives when shattered. Smaller pieces of broken glass mean less chance of major lacerations.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass takes the concept of tempered glass and goes a step forward. This style of glass relies on multiple layers with a piece of thin transparent plastic in between them. This layout allows the glass to become shatterproof. The plastic holds the shattered glass together, preventing large pieces from being projected into a vehicle or room.
A New Understanding of Glass
For centuries, researchers have delved into ways to improve glass durability and reduce shatter damage. Until recently, most of these studies were regulated to chemical and material science experiments and advancements. However, this latest study is the first to delve into glass breakage on a deep molecular level.
Researchers wanted to gain a new understanding of what happens when glass molecules separate. Until recently, the optics and equipment to conduct a study on this level were non-existent. Specifically, researchers would need to be able to monitor the glass molecules as they moved in nanosecond time frames.
Impact-Proof Glass Study
The research paper, published in the journal Acta Materialia, delves deep into the Johari–Goldstein (JG) on an atomic level. The Johari–Goldstein (JG) process was created in 1969 to describe the molecular behavior of glassy materials under certain conditions. Originally, it was used to explain the melting of glass, but over the decades, it has been used to describe many glass state changes.
The researchers used this theory alongside a purpose-built computer model and molecular-level monitoring of atoms to determine what exactly happens at the point of glass breakage. What they found was that the atoms within the glass will jump to new locations under the pressure of an impact or stress.
Source – Makina Saito
The surrounding atoms will then pour into the newly opened space, filling the void and helping to relieve some of the stress of the unbroken pieces. Specifically, the team was able to detect atomic motions in the quasi-spherical model ionic-glass-former Ca0.4K0.6(NO3).
Modeling Atomic Movement
The Computer simulation allowed the team to expand their experimentation across a wide range of factors. They could adjust different parameters such as flexing, temperature, and impact force. The models produced reliable results that furthered the team’s insight into why glass breaks in the way it does.
Impact-Proof Glass Test
Testing the theory involved monitoring the atomic motion using X-ray time-domain interferometry. This approach allowed atomic monitoring on a nanosecond time frame, enabling the team to conduct, monitor, and record data from various synchrotron radiation experiments.
Impact-Proof Glass Computer Simulations
One of the most unique aspects of this research was the use of computer simulations. The team recorded the data they captured during the radiation experiments and used that info to create a computer simulation. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation allowed the team to enhance their testing to new levels while keeping the cost of the research down.
Impact-Proof Glass Results
The results of the team’s study were eye-opening. They discovered that the majority of glass particles were subject to angstrom-scale motions on the nano-time scale. This info allowed them to determine that they could improve the atomic jumps and collective motion of atoms in a way that results in far more resilient materials. In the future, they could use this data to create glass that has added molecular strength in flex points, preventing catastrophic failure.
Impact-Proof Glass Benefits
There are a lot of benefits that this study brings to the glass industry. For one, it will improve safety across the board. Safety glass, vehicle windows, monitoring stations, and even tools and electronics will benefit from more durable and safer glass alternatives.
Impact-proof glass could allow researchers to make glass that breaks in particular patterns as well. This style of purposeful break will allow them to reduce dangerous shatters in scenarios where there needs to be some form of stress release at a certain pressure. Think of how saltine crackers break on the dotted lines.
This technology is already in use in other building materials. For example, your sidewalk has specific lines designed to crack when the pressure of the ground moving versus the concrete hits its critical point. This approach allows engineers to pre-predict breaks and place them in a way that remains orderly. The same approach could be used for glass structures, improving safety further.
Impact-Proof Glass New Standards
Another benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked is the team’s goal to create new safety standards for the industry. Already, tempered and laminated glass has made life safer for millions. Creating universal guidelines for designing glass with superior impact resistance could open the door for a new level of safety across thousands of industries. It would also allow manufacturers to create better products that could be held to higher safety standards.
Impact-Proof Glass Researcher
This study was led by Professor Makina Saito and a team of researchers at Tohoku University. Kyoto University, Shimane University, the National Institute for Materials Science, and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute also participated in this groundbreaking study. Now, these teams seek to further their research into creating the most durable glass ever.
Applications
There are lots of ways in which impact-proof glass could be applied to current sciences. For one, it could help make your electronics more durable. If you have ever dropped your phone and cracked the screen, you understand how helpful impact-proof glass would be to millions of people on a personal level.
Construction
The construction industry would benefit greatly from integrating impact-proof glass. This material could help them create more hurricane and tornado-resistant buildings. Impact-resistant glass can stand up to high winds and extreme temperatures as well, providing builders with more universal and efficient options.
Military
Another use for this technology would be to create more resilient bulletproof glass. The continued global conflicts highlight how small and personal munitions are getting smarter. As such, it’s become even more important to provide military personnel with the protection they need without restricting situational awareness. This research could result in super durable bulletproof glass that can withstand hits that would result in casualties today.
Companies that can Benefit From the Impact-Proof Glass Study
The list of companies that could benefit from more durable shatterproof glass is extensive. From vehicle manufacturers to electronic producers, glass is an essential component of today’s devices. As such, any way to strengthen it, reduce its manufacturing costs, or improve its capabilities is welcome. Here’s one company that could integrate this technology to see gains in the future.
Corning Inc.
Corning Inc. (GLW +1.44%) is one of the leading producers of protective glass and glass-related technologies. The company is behind the popular Gorilla Glass protective brand. It specializes in advanced optics, display glass, and other optical communication technologies.
Corning Inc. is an industry pioneer with strong financials. The company has a large ecosystem of partners, investors, and researchers who work together to maintain the company’s prominent positioning. The firm recently announced a strategic partnership with AT&T, expanding a multi-year purchase agreement between the two conglomerates.
Corning Incorporated (GLW +1.44%)
Corning Inc. is one of the leading researchers in advanced optics. It has worked with industry leaders for decades to help provide solutions to complex market problems. Today, it is recognized as one of the top-performing glass manufacturers in the world.
GLW is a smart stock to consider for several reasons. For one, Corning Inc. has made some wise acquisitions in the past, including SpiderCloud in 2017, STRAN Technologies in 2016, and Allied Fiber Optic Products in 2016. Each of these acquisitions furthered the company’s capabilities and improved its customer base.
Future
The future of impact-proof glass is bright. These advancements could lead to safer flights, travel, optics, electronics, buildings, and more. You can expect to see researchers delve into using this material to provide a new glimpse into the world. From transparent submarines to spacecraft designed to withstand the heat of the sun, the researchers have lots of options to explore.
Impact Proof Glass will make an Impact.
It’s easy to see that more durable glass will result in some cool advancements across multiple sectors. You have to commend this research team for introducing new methods and models to help everyone understand exactly what and when glass reaches its breaking point. Eliminating these factors opens the door for a safer and more vibrant future.
Learn about other advancements in Material Science today.
