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Dry Ice Made into Super-tough Glass

janus zeal writes "A form of solid carbon dioxide that could be used to make ultra-hard glass or coatings for microelectronic devices has been discovered. The material, named amorphous carbonia, was created by scientists from the University of Florence in Italy. Writing in the journal Nature, the team says the material was theoretically possible but had never been created. It was made by squeezing dry ice, a form of carbon dioxide used to create smoke in stage shows, at huge pressure. Scientists are interested in the new material because of the potential applications. Also, they believe it could give them clues to the processes that happen in the center of huge gas giant planets such as Jupiter."

6 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. Well, Duh... by Baldrson · · Score: 5, Funny
    The next stage of the research is to work out how to make the glass stable at room temperature and pressure.

    Reminds me of the cartoon of the scientist at the blackboard with a series of equations on one side and concluding equation on the other with "And then a miracle happens." in between.

  2. Most important use by chiller2 · · Score: 5, Funny


    Scratch-proof iPod screens of course! ;)

    --
    --- Commission free trading & free stock up to $500 - use http://share.robinhood.com/kelvinp6 :)
  3. Re:Just needs Stability, by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . . if hey manage to find a way of making it stable at room teperature and pressure. . .

    Easy enough. Simply apply the Congressional Model of engineering; redefine room temperature and pressure.

    KFG

  4. Re:Just needs Stability, by ceoyoyo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Um, diamond is made from a highly available source material. Under much the same conditions actually. It also has the minor advantage of not evaporating at room temperature and pressure.

  5. I think this takes ... by AstronomicUID · · Score: 5, Funny


    the term Vaporware Windows to a whole new level!

    --
    You must write The Book, and then tear away belief. Only you can save the light of man --Gary Numan
  6. Re:Just needs Stability, by svtdragon · · Score: 5, Funny

    At the right temperature and pressure, a ring made from dry ice leads to frostbite and ring made from diamonds leads to sex. That's another advantage.