Nacre: Chalk Made Strong by Mollusks Gives Science Idea for Cracked Strong Glass
Most of us have dropped a glass container only to have it crack and shatter. Now, taking a tip from nature, scientists have devised a way to slightly crack glass to make it 200 times stronger than normal. http://txchnologist.com/post/78023821702/glass-gets-stronger-by-cracking-it?
Some mollusks with their nacre, pearly inner shell, demonstrate to scientists how it is done. They use common chalk, a substance that normally flakes and cracks into dust. By setting tiny bits of chalk in offset rows, mollusks known for mother-of-pearl inner linings create a substance 3,000 times tougher than natural chalk. Applying this lesson, scientists put micro-cracks in glass to create glass far stronger than uncracked glass. http://barthelat-lab.mcgill.ca/research.html
McGill University’s biometric materials lab announced today its discovery of both the nacre offset chalk blocks and how lasers that make tiny cracks in glass can strengthen naturally occurring substances. http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/glass-bends-doesn’t-break-232559
To me, this seems like a metaphor for how people with fissures from life may become stronger.
hamilton.jerry
Very interesting (and I’m particularly proud of McGill!). Your observation: “To me, this seems like a metaphor for how people with fissures from life may become stronger” is right on the money. It’s been said that trees growing on the coast and in the path of ocean storms, sink their roots deeper to endure the winds and rains. I think this might also apply.