Researchers tout super-strong transparent plastic
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 5th 2007 12:13PM
posted Oct 5th 2007 12:13PM
Researchers at the University of Michigan look to have made a fairly significant advance in the oft-explored field of plastics, with them now showing off a sheet of plastic that's not only transparent, but as "strong as steel." That impressive feat was apparently made possible by "mimicking a brick-and-mortar molecular structure found in seashells" or, more specifically, by mixing layers of clay nanosheets with a water-soluble polymer solution. That combination also apparently gave rise to what the researchers call the "velcro effect," which allows any bonds that are broken to be reformed quickly, further adding to the materials strength. What's more, to handle the tedious task of actually building the material, the researchers employed their very own robotic arm, which meticulously pieced together each layer of polymer and clay nanosheets, with 300 of each required to make a sheet the thickness of regular plastic wrap.
[Via Digg, photo courtesy of Cosmos/University of Michigan]
[Via Digg, photo courtesy of Cosmos/University of Michigan]
ok, this is going to be a little lewd, but if a 300-ply sheet of this stuff is as strong as steel. wouldn't a 10-ply sheet of this stuff be atleast as strong as a modern condum, and 1/30th as thick? just putting that out there to mull over.
Hopefully it doesn't crinkle like a grocery bag - thin or not that would be an unsexy feeling and sound
and with that kind of durability, it could even be reusable and dishwasher safe!
Wow, you have a point! Also if you look at the manufacturing technique, how condoms are molded and how this is molded, we could be only months out from a product.
Don't feel bad about feeling lewd, if it makes you feel any better, I saw the word "University" and plastic bags in the photo below it and imediately thought this article was about drugs.
GO BLUE
Hahah! Someone had to say it! =P
Hail to the Victors Valiant!
;-)
Perfect. My biggest problem is that all the plastic in my life doesn't seem to last long enough.
Damn! This sounds like Scotty's transparent aluminum from Star Trek 4. Time to round up some whales.
Yeah, but is it strong enough to haul my mother-in-law and her f'ing Rascal? Not *that* is a real test.
computer, ON! Computer, ON!!
Damn, beaten! That was the first thing I imagined - him talking to Stuart Pankin (I think). The weirdest thing in that scene was that Scotty, raised on voice-controls, LCARS, and Blinkinlight control systems could type like hell. Always thought that was a continuity issue.
Back on point - this is cool for sure.
That's nothing compared to transparent aluminum. Now would that be worth something to you?
Entourage reference? If so, I like it!
what are you doing on a gadget website. shame on you. that's from star trek iv: the whalers of home
That's nothing compared to transparent aluminum. Now would that be worth something to you?
if it comes tinted, I want to bullet proof my car windows.
Invisible jet to follow.
I can see new packaging for kid's toys on the horizon. You ever try to pry a toy out of one those vacuum sealed, arc-welded plastic clamshells? It takes two adults, a knife, a pair of pliers, a lot of cussing and the occasional trip to the ER for stitches. Now they got plastic stronger the steel? I think I'll give my kids movie tickets this year.
I read the article and then thought,"I guess my scissors won't work. Time to get a cutting torch."
I know you're joking, but (and I'm serious) a hunting knife (Bowie style, with an inch or so of serration) works wonders for this kind of packaging.
Body bags.
Hello computer!!! There be whales here Capt'n!!!
I can't believe I'm actualy sayng this, but Kirk was still an Admiral in ST:4 :-)
"Admiral! There be whales here!"
So... um... yeah.
www.youtube.com/musecast5
Spread the word!
Hi Guys,
I am active in plastics business and what is desperatly needed is not a strong polymer (mechanical wise) needed is a stron polymer chemichally seen. This stuff can be solved in water, so not solid, what about acids? Hahahah
Regrads
Marcus
Nuc-le-ar wessels. In Alameda.
Two words, Mr. Plastics Business.
Spell Check.
Um... Is steel at that thickness particularly strong?
Finally, a condom strong enough for this guy! Yeah, I got it like that.
makes suffocating that much easier.
Hooray! A condom that finally settles the question of Superman having sex with Lois Lane...
Is it only as strong as steel of the same thickness? Because I can punch right through aluminum, foil and I am sure it is thicker than that.
Humpback... people?
But this implies that a steel sheet that's as thin as a typical plastic bag is "strong"? I would think that existing plastic sheeting is already as strong as steel sheeting of the same thickness.
a material's strength, in its simplist term, does not depend on it's thickness, or more accurately, it's cross-sectional area. so if a 1 inch thick plate of steel is stronger than a 1 inch thick piece of plastic, the steel will still be stronger than the plastic even if they are both 0.001" thick.
that's why a material's strength is measured in PSI or MPa, pounds per square inch or mega Pascal (metric version of pressure or psi).
a plastic that is as strong as steel is amazing and only will be widespread if it can be easily manufactured. its uses will depend heavily on other properties as well, such as density, toughness, stiffness, conductivity, thermal expansion, etc. so don't expect it to replace steel anytime soon.
but i can see it being a great new material for very specialized applications (military, in particular).
Condoms and Star Trek is all ya got?
Get outdoors!
I see some cool tents, sails, kites for kiteboarding, surfboards, etc. in the future.
Remind anyone else of Star Trek 4? "Transparent Aluminum", baby!.... but steel instead.
Breaking news... next generation Lotus Elise will be 1/4 the weight!