Entries Tagged 'Ultrastrong and Stiff Layered Polymer Nanocomposites' ↓

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created a type of plastic that is as strong as steel. They do this by building a brick like structure of nanotubes and nanosheets. With the strength of the material distributed across the entire structure. Much like the way a brick wall distributes the weight placed on a single brick across the entire wall.

The entire structure is even built the way a brick wall would be built. One nanoscale layer at a time. Each layer being placed over the previous layer in an overlapping manner. Since the resulting material is as strong as steel, but much lighter, it could see use in a variety of areas where strength is needed, but weight is a concern. Such as personal body armor or lighter more fuel efficient vehicles. The fact that it is transparent means that it could even be used in place of glass for buildings and windshields.

The whole thing reminds me of the old Star Trek tech, Transparent Aluminum. I’m remembering the movie with the whales where they go back in time and have to track down the 20th century equivalent of transparent aluminum.

Via PhysOrg: New plastic is strong as steel, transparent