Hard Yet Stretchable: Scientists Create "Unbreakable" New Material

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have successfully created a new type of material called "glassy gels", which fuse the hardness of glassy polymers with the stretchability of gels. Glassy gels contain more than 50% liquid, contributing to their remarkable elasticity and adhesive characteristics. This innovative material holds significant potential for widespread use across various industries, including electronics and medical devices. This was reported by SSPDaily.

Traditionally, gels and glassy polymers have been regarded as separate materials with distinct properties. Glassy polymers are known for their rigidity and brittleness, often found in the production of items like water bottles and airplane windows. On the other hand, gels, such as contact lenses, consist of liquid and offer flexibility and stretchability.

This pioneering research introduces a class of materials known as glassy gels. These materials exhibit both the resilience of glassy polymers and the ability to stretch up to five times their original length before breaking. Moreover, glassy gels possess a unique trait where they can return to their original shape when subjected to heat. Surprisingly, these hard materials are highly adhesive, setting them apart from conventional rigid materials.

One distinguishing factor of glassy gels is their liquid content, surpassing 50%. This liquid composition enables glassy gels to be efficient conductors of electricity compared to similar plastics, despite their shared physical attributes.

To produce glassy gels, researchers begin with the liquid precursors of glassy polymers and combine them with an ionic liquid. These liquids are then poured into molds and cured with ultraviolet light, resulting in the formation of glassy gels. The presence of an ionic liquid, composed entirely of ions, enables the glassy gels to achieve stretchability by pushing polymer chains apart. However, the strong attraction between the ions and the polymer restricts the movement of said chains, leading to their glassy texture. Consequently, the material possesses hardness due to intermolecular forces, yet remains capable of stretching due to the additional spacing.

Glassy gels offer great versatility in terms of composition, with various polymers and ionic liquids available for use. However, it is important to note that not all classes of polymers are suitable for creating glassy gels. For instance, polymers with charges or polarity show promise for this material due to their affinity for ionic liquids.

One remarkable feature of glassy gels is their ability to maintain their structure without evaporation or drying out, despite containing 50-60% liquid.

Furthermore, glassy gels have proven to be highly adhesive, although the exact mechanisms behind their stickiness are yet to be fully understood.

The simplicity of the production process is another advantage of glassy gels. They can be created by curing them in any type of mold or even through 3D printing. In contrast, manufacturing other plastics with similar mechanical properties typically involves creating polymer feedstock at one location and transporting it to another facility for melting and forming into the desired end products.

The potential applications of glassy gels are extensive and exciting. The researchers are eager to explore and collaborate with others to identify practical uses for this remarkable material. The ease of production and the combination of extraordinary properties make glassy gels a promising candidate for various industries, paving the way for advancements in technology and product development.