Key Points
- Researchers at Tohoku University discovered a new stress-relaxation mechanism in glass, reducing its susceptibility to breakage.
- The study focused on ionic glass using synchrotron radiation experiments and simulations.
- Atomic “jumps” and surrounding collective movements work together to alleviate internal stress in the glass.
- Future research aims to apply these findings to other glass types and create universal design principles for impact-resistant materials.
A groundbreaking discovery by researchers at Tohoku University is set to revolutionize the glass industry by offering insights into how glass resists breakage. This research can potentially lead to developing highly durable, break-resistant glass, with significant implications for consumer electronics, construction, and automotive industries.
The findings, published in Acta Materialia, unravel how internal stress within glass is alleviated at the atomic level. While inherently strong, glass is prone to breaking when subjected to stress that exceeds its tolerance. However, the study highlights that atomic and molecular movements within glass can relax internal stress, enhancing fracture resistance.
“Although we know that some atoms ‘jump’ into nearby empty spaces, how this process alleviates stress has long been a mystery,” explained Makina Saito, an associate professor at Tohoku University’s Graduate School of Science.
The research, conducted in collaboration with Kyoto University, Shimane University, the National Institute for Materials Science, and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, focused on ionic glass as a model system. The team used advanced synchrotron radiation experiments and computer simulations to observe atomic movements within the glass on a nanosecond-to-microsecond timescale.
Their findings revealed a new mechanism: when individual atoms jump into adjacent empty spaces, the surrounding groups of atoms collectively shift to fill the resulting void. This combined effect of atomic jumps and collective movements reduces internal stress, making the glass more resistant to external forces.
The research team plans to investigate whether similar mechanisms operate in other types of glass. Their ultimate goal is to create universal guidelines for designing glass with superior impact resistance. Such advancements could transform industries reliant on durable glass materials, from smartphone manufacturers to architects and carmakers.
