Dec. 11, 2008 -- Tough but beautiful, mother of pearl is the inspiration behind the world's newest and toughest ceramic material. Rivaling the durability of expensive aluminum alloys and made using a cheap, environmentally-friendly process, the new ceramic could one day be used in a huge variety of products, from plates to planes. "Our technique is very simple, but it leads to a material that is very hard but also very tough," said Rob Ritchie, a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, who, along with colleague Antoni Tomsia, published their results in the journal Science.
Mother of pearl, also called nacre, is the iridescent material found on the inner shells of mussels, abalones, oysters and other mollusks. Its strength comes from the brick-like structure of two separate materials, brittle aragonite and soft protein. Individually both materials are weak. Together, they create a tough, durable shield that protects the creatures from most predators. Related Content: Lightweight, Metal-Like Glass Examined How Stuff Works: Mullusks Eric Bland's Blog: Interior Design By contrast, most ceramics mimic only brittle aragonite. Drop the typical ceramic tea cup on a solid floor and it will likely shatter. The Berkeley researchers added a polymer that mimics the mollusks' protein to create an extremely tough material larger than a matchbox. Other teams have previously created strong ceramics, but only in small amounts. The process that creates new ceramic is simple and environmentally friendly. First the scientists made a mold by freezing water in a very specific matter, creating a hollow crystalline lattice. The density of the ice mold can easily be changed by varying the rate at which the ice freezes. The ceramic material, in this case alumina (aluminum oxide), fills the hollow lattice and hardens in brick-like pattern similar to that of nacre. A polymer is then injected into the gaps left by the melting water. The polymer acts as a glue, holding the ceramic layers together, and as a lubricant, allowing them to slide past each other to absorb impacts that would shatter normal ceramics. The amount of grip or slip the polymer has on the alumina depends on the microscopic surface of the alumina. This can be changed by adding alcohol, for a smoother surface, or salt or sugar, which creates a rougher surface. Get More NewsMouse Cloned From Long-Frozen CellResearchers create a mouse from a long-frozen cell. Will the mammoth be next?'Bubble' Could Protect AstronautsScientists say a "bubble" around a Mars-bound spaceship could protect astronauts.Big Reduction of Snowmobiles in Yellowstone ProposedA new plan would cut snowmobile use by 40 percent in Yellowstone.Microbes: Fuel of the Future?A reddish South American microbe is literally breathing fuel, say scientists.DNA Links Remains to Steve FossetDNA tests on two bones found in California confirm they are those of Steve Fossett.Women Carry More Bacteria Than MenSome bacteria prefer women, suggests a new study. But why?Ancient 'Water Monster' Facing ExtinctionA foot-long salamander that was a key part of Aztec legend is threatened by extinction.Grand Canyon's Youth ConfirmedThe Grand Canyon is millions of years younger than previously thought, argue geologists.My Take: E-Voting Not User FriendlyOpinion: Electronic voting machines don't always capture the intent of voters.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.At 40, Brain and Body SlowThe part of the brain in charge of motion starts a gradual slide in middle age.Spiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates. |
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