A new material made of DNA and flawless nanoglass is lighter and stronger than steel, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut. Combining strength and lightness in materials has been a challenge, but the team has managed to produce a strong and lightweight material from DNA and glass. The material is the strongest known for its density, and the researchers believe it could be used to reduce the weight of cars and body armor. The material is made up of a DNA “skeleton” and a thin layer of flawless nanoglass, which is five times lighter and four times stronger than steel.
The researchers used tiny pieces of flawless nanoglass, which are less than a micrometer thick and have a lower density than similar structures made of metals and ceramics. They then produced a DNA structure that acts as a “skeleton” for the material and coated it with the thin layer of nanoglass. The DNA structure reinforced the nanoglass coating, making the material strong, while the hollow spaces made it lightweight. The researchers believe the material could be used to make lighter cars and body armor, and they are currently working on replacing the glass with carbide ceramics.
The researchers believe that the DNA origami nanoarchitecture could be used to create even lighter and stronger materials in the future. While the material has enormous potential, more research is needed before it can be used in technology. The researchers are planning experiments with different DNA structures to determine which combination offers the best material properties. The team is also excited about the possibility of using the material to create a better armor for Iron Man, as it is five times lighter and four times stronger than steel.
