Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a new material that is 10 times stronger than steel. Scroll through the gallery to see other examples of extraordinary materials.
Graphene-gyroid —
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a new material that is 10 times stronger than steel. Scroll through the gallery to see other examples of extraordinary materials.
melanie gonick/MIT
The MIT researchers discovered that fusing small flakes of graphene -- widely regarded as the world's strongest known material -- into a gyroid-shaped structure creates a new material that is unusually light but still distinctly strong.
Graphene-gyroid —
The MIT researchers discovered that fusing small flakes of graphene -- widely regarded as the world's strongest known material -- into a gyroid-shaped structure creates a new material that is unusually light but still distinctly strong.
One of the researchers on the project, Zhao Qin, says he thinks that the graphene-gyroid material could one day be widely used in engineering and architecture.
Graphene-gyroid —
One of the researchers on the project, Zhao Qin, says he thinks that the graphene-gyroid material could one day be widely used in engineering and architecture.
Courtesy Gang Seob Jung
In August 2016, scientists at the University of Maryland created transparent wood.
Transparent wood —
In August 2016, scientists at the University of Maryland created transparent wood.
courtesy university of maryland
First the scientists remove lignin, an organic substance that is responsible for giving wood a "yellow-ish" color.
Transparent wood —
First the scientists remove lignin, an organic substance that is responsible for giving wood a "yellow-ish" color.
courtesy university of maryland
Once stripped of lignin, the wood is injected with an epoxy to strengthen it. Research suggests that transparent wood may one day be used as a substitute to glass.
Transparent wood —
Once stripped of lignin, the wood is injected with an epoxy to strengthen it. Research suggests that transparent wood may one day be used as a substitute to glass.
courtesy university of maryland
At London Design Festival last year, architect Alison Brooks revealed "The Smile": a 34-meter long structure which is the most complex structure ever to be made out of cross-laminated timber.
At London Design Festival last year, architect Alison Brooks revealed "The Smile": a 34-meter long structure which is the most complex structure ever to be made out of cross-laminated timber.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
The large structure shows the potential of cross-laminated American tulipwood, which is stronger than concrete.
The large structure shows the potential of cross-laminated American tulipwood, which is stronger than concrete.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
In July last year, Mexican scientist José Carlos Rubio Avalos created glow-in-the-dark cement.
Glowing concrete —
In July last year, Mexican scientist José Carlos Rubio Avalos created glow-in-the-dark cement.
Courtesy Roosengaarde
The flowing material soaks in the suns rays during the day, and emits light at night.
The flowing material soaks in the suns rays during the day, and emits light at night.
Courtesy Roosengarde