An international research team has developed a shatterproof glass that can be used to manufacture LED lights, smartphones, and TV screens.
The new synthetic glass can be applied to create antibacterial, self-luminous screens with high image quality for electronic devices, and its production cost is comparable to the most advanced glass available today. The research team, consisting of 27 experts from Australia, the UK, China, France, Japan, Singapore, Slovenia, and the USA, announced their findings in the journal Science on October 29.
Researchers using the new glass to create light bulbs. (Photo: SCMP)
The lead researcher, Hou Jingwei, a chemical engineer at the University of Queensland, Australia, stated that when sending samples of the glass to collaborators around the world, he did not need to label them as fragile. “The material is made from zinc minerals. Australia is one of the largest exporters of zinc ore in the world, selling at $100 per ton. We can transform zinc ore into glass material easily without the need for toxic solvents. We use perovskite nano crystals like chocolate chips in cookies,” Hou shared.
Perovskite is a material that can convert light into electrical energy but is extremely sensitive to light, temperature, air, and water. The research team developed a process to coat or bond the nano crystals within the glass foam to stabilize the material and enhance performance.
According to Hou, the two-year project began during an afternoon tea at the University of Cambridge. When asked what would happen to the new glass if it fell, Hou replied that the material is similar to a sponge. “When you press down, it compresses. But when you release your hand, it returns to its original shape and state,” Hou said.
Due to the light-to-electricity conversion properties of perovskite, the new glass can also charge devices by absorbing light from the environment. The material has potential applications as X-ray film, providing higher resolution. It can also help prevent electronic device screens from shattering, thereby reducing repair, recycling costs, and environmental impact.
