DailyDirt: Novel Materials... And We're Not Talking About Books

History used to be defined by materials: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, etc. We don't really do that anymore... now that there are so many novel composite materials with properties that far surpass simple alloys or ceramics. Still, the development of new materials is important to creating items/gadgets that are thinner, lighter and/or safer. For your reading pleasure, here are just a few more examples of materials that could help improve our lives.

• Blast-resistant glass that is thinner and tougher is making its way into buildings to protect people from the possibility of flying glass shards. Now I'm just waiting for bullet-proof iPhones. [url]
• Metal foams could be used in ship hulls, reducing freight vessel weight by about 30%. The real trick is, as always, making this material as cheap or cheaper than the good ol' steel plates to be replaced. [url]
• Nanocomposite magnets that use far fewer rare-earth metals might save us from China's monopoly on neodymium. Designing materials with desirable electro-magnetic properties is not easy... so by the time these new magnets are ready, we'll probably have rare earth metal mines running all over the globe. [url]
• Studying ancient tooth enamel could help people design better nanocomposites. Hopefully, though, new nanocomposites won't need to be brushed and flossed every day. [url]

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Source: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110106/16052812567/dailydirt-novel-materials-were-not-talking-about-books.shtml

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