Researchers Have Developed a New Kind of 'Unbreakable' Glass

https://interestingengineering.com/ ^ | Oct 01, 2021 | Christopher McFadden

[Jonty30]

Researchers at McGill University have developed the strongest and toughest glass ever known. Inspired, in part, by the inner layer of mollusk shells, this glass does not shatter when hit, and acts more like plastic.

The material, once commercially viable, could be used to improve cell phone screens, among other applications in the future.

Interestingly, this may be an example of modern science rediscovering an old technology, now long lost.

Apparently, a form of flexible glass existed during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar. So the story goes, as told by Petronius, a glassmaker brought a drinking bowl made of the material before the Emperor.

According to historical accounts, when the bowl was tested for its strength, it dented rather than shattered. What's more, the inventor swore he was the only person who knew how this miracle was achieved.

Tiberius had the man executed, fearing that the glass would devalue gold and silver because it might be more valuable.

“When I think about the story of Tiberius, I’m glad that our material innovation leads to publication rather than execution,” says Allen Ehrlicher, an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at McGill University.

[Red Badger]

he was from Wakanda......................

[Grimmy]

We all know how that dude got that “glass” bowl.

Outerspace aliens from outer space gave it to him as a parting gift after the probing party.

[AdmSmith]

Since the main patents are no longer valid...

Patents related to aluminium oxynitride include:

Aluminium oxynitride having improved optical characteristics and method of manufacture TM Hartnett, RL Gentilman U.S. Patent 4,481,300, 1984
Process for producing polycrystalline cubic aluminium oxynitride JW McCauley U.S. Patent 4,241,000, 1980
Transparent aluminium oxynitride and method of manufacture RL Gentilman, EA Maguire U.S. Patent 4,520,116, 1985; U.S. Patent 4,720,362, 1988
Transparent aluminium oxynitride-based ceramic article JP Mathers U.S. Patent 5,231,062, 1993

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxynitride

...it is the production process that is expensive: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8095

Let's assume that we wouldn't build a small aquarium out of Alon, but instead let's deal with a standard large aquarium size of 180 gallons. A typical 180 has dimensions of 72 inches long, 24 inches high and 24 inches wide – this means we need three panes that are 5,184 square inches combined and two end panes that are 1,152 square inches total. Since Alon has an average price of $10 to $15 per square inch, the total cost of the Aluminum Aquarium would be $63,360 to $95,040 for the aluminum ‘glass’ alone!

https://reefbuilders.com/2019/05/02/transparent-aluminum/

[blam]

Years ago when I was working at Signetics R&D they were owned by Corning Glass Works and we shared R&D facilities with the R&D glass scientists. We were allowed entry to the whole facility and I often wandered around their areas talking to the engineers & etc...very interesting. That was in 1972, BTW.

[SunkenCiv]

Once an asteroidal source of the raw materials is found (I’d guess at least one of Mars’ moons is rich in them) we’ll all have transparent aluminum phones, windows, cars, and toilets. :^)