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October 22, 2007
Transparent Metal, Like For Real This Time
Remember that scene in Star Trek The Voyage Home where Scotty programs the formula for a material light as plastic but strong as metal? Yeah, he called it transparent aluminum and it's just another example of how Star Trek envisaged yet another technology just now coming to fruition.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have created a light weight transparent composite plastic strong as steel. The molecular structure mimics mother of pearl, the iridescent lining found in mussels and oyster shells. It's considered to be the toughest natural mineral in the world. It's still years away from any real use but ongoing experiments could create a new class of materials that are organic and renewable.
Posted by tranism at 11:32 AM | Permalink
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