Dry Ice Made into Super-tough Glass 197
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."
Just needs Stability, (Score:5, Insightful)
Big question: Does it flow? (Score:1, Insightful)
It's also worth noting that this stuff doesn't do so well under normal temperature and pressure. It seems like it would be great for space travel since there's almost none of either out there.
Re:Um... a bit too intricate? (Score:5, Insightful)
True, but it does consistently reward us for methodically searching for interesting things in unusual places.
Think of it as a form of assay: You assay every square mile of territory, not because you like assaying, or you think there's something worth mining in every square mile of territory, but to find out which square miles have something worth mining.
I'm not paying for science for the sake of science. I'm paying for a thorough assay of the territory.
Re:Needs a bit more work first though.... (Score:3, Insightful)
At least I read the article!
Re:Needs a bit more work first though.... (Score:1, Insightful)
I always seem to get +5 Funny and never anything else so my karma is only good.
Do Ihave to beg for +1 Insighful?
Re:Needs a bit more work first though.... (Score:4, Insightful)
That, or not enough people are meta-modding.