Researchers have developed a highly robust material with an extremely low density by constructing a structure using DNA and subsequently coating it in glass. Materials possessing both strength and lightness have the potential to enhance everything from automobiles to body armor. But usually, the tw

Scientists Create New Material Five Times Lighter and Four Times Stronger Than Steel::Researchers have developed a highly robust material with an extremely low density by constructing a structure using DNA and subsequently coating it in glass. Materials possessing both strength and lightness have the potential to enhance everything from automobiles to body armor. But usually, the tw

  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    Every new finding about how many particles slough off, and get breathed in or ingested, it makes me wish we were still using metal, wood, and glass, for packaging.

    I mean… maybe? There are a host of environmental costs to those as well. Certainly, the nice thing about plastic is that its cheap to mold where as metal and wood and glass take a lot more energy to manipulate. The problem is that its too cheap, and so it gets used far in excess of its long term utility.

    I think the number one consideration is scalability of production.

    Sure. Which is why I’m not holding my breath. But new materials can be useful even if they aren’t cheap.