Glass is an integral part of our daily lives. Its applications range from practical items such as windows and spectacles to scientific applications within laboratories.
The scope of its applications is vast. That’s illustrated by the precise, engineered scientific glassware produced by companies like Glass Solutions, contrasting sharply with the unique, handcrafted glass beads and ornaments available on Etsy.
These examples showcase glass’s versatility. At the same time, they also underscore the need for sustainable and technologically advanced glass manufacturing solutions.
In addition to being such a versatile material, glass is also quite sustainable. If cared for properly, it lasts forever. And, it can be recycled too. However, we live in a world where net zero is the ultimate goal. That means glass production also needs to up its game.
Plus, there’s also the need for more functionality to meet the world’s technological needs. Glass needs to meet the diverse demands of contemporary and future applications.
The good news is that recent advancements in glass technology are addressing the pressing need for sustainability. They are also improving the material’s functionality.
From Ancient Rome to Photonic Applications
An article by Tufts Now talks about some very interesting glass fragments found at archaeological sites in Rome. The fragments are about 2,000 years old and were once part of cups or bottles used in ancient Rome. Over time, they got buried under the ground and experienced changes due to the environment they were in.
As scientists uncovered these fragments, they noticed something special. The surfaces of the glass pieces had changed and were now showing lovely colours that shimmered like a rainbow. This effect is similar to the way oil on water can look. The glass had turned into something known as “photonic glass.”
Photonic glass is not just pretty to look at. It has a unique way of managing light because of its special structure at the nanoscale. In this case, the glass fragments had structures on their surface that could control light in very specific ways, just like crystals can. These structures are called “photonic crystals.”
What’s remarkable is that the photonic crystals on the ancient Roman glass weren’t made by people. They were formed naturally over thousands of years because of the glass’s interactions with its environment. The people studying them say different factors—the weather, minerals in the ground, and water level—could have helped alter the glass.
The professors at Tufts Silklab, Fiorenzo Omenetto and Giulia Guidetti, find these photonic crystals fascinating. They are interested in the process that made the glass transform like this. They think that understanding the process could help us make new materials for modern technology. Photonic crystals could be useful in making devices for computers and the internet that work with light instead of electricity.
Scientists are currently studying these glass pieces. They hope to learn new ways to make similar materials without having to wait for thousands of years.
The photonic glass from ancient Rome is a testament to how glass can change over time. Next, we need a type of glass that’s kinder to the environment by using less energy during production.
LionGlass: A Stride Towards Sustainable Production
LionGlass is a new type of glass created by researchers at Penn State. The team includes John Mauro, a professor of materials science and engineering. This glass is designed to be more environmentally friendly. It’s also stronger than the regular glass—soda lime glass—that we commonly use today.
The innovation behind LionGlass lies in its unique composition. That allows it to melt at a lower temperature compared to conventional glass. Traditional glass production requires very high temperatures. The typical materials include sand, soda ash, and limestone. These need extreme heat to melt. We’re talking around 1,480 degrees Celsius or 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
LionGlass, however, melts at temperatures that are about 300 to 400 degrees Celsius lower. This significant reduction in the melting point leads to a roughly 30% decrease in the energy required for production.
Additionally, the manufacturing process of standard glass involves releasing a substantial amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That’s because of the decomposition of carbonates found in soda ash and limestone. LionGlass, on the other hand, is made without these carbon-based materials, potentially reducing its carbon footprint by half.
Another key feature of LionGlass is its enhanced durability. The researchers found that it has much better crack resistance than standard glass (although it doesn’t say if it’s stronger than borosilicate glass). This increased toughness could result in a material that is thinner and lighter, yet still very strong. Lighter glass would lower transportation costs. It would also reduce related carbon emissions since lighter materials require less energy for transport.
LionGlass was named in honour of Penn State’s mascot, the Nittany Lion. And, the university has filed a patent application for the new glass. The exact ingredients and process remain protected information until the patent is finalised. However, the potential applications for a more environmentally friendly and durable glass could be far-reaching. It would impact industries from construction to consumer electronics.
The research team at Penn State is actively exploring the possibilities of LionGlass. They are testing it in various real-world conditions to understand its full range of properties and potential uses. They are also working closely with industrial partners to adapt and refine the material for commercial applications. While still in the developmental stage, LionGlass represents a significant step forward in sustainable material science and the evolution of glass technology.
Biodegradable Glass from Biological Origins
Building on the progress made with LionGlass, scientists are pushing the boundaries of sustainability even further. According to this article, a team of scientists led by Prof. YAN Xuehai at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made a new kind of glass. It’s better for the environment because it can break down naturally.
The glass we use every day stays around for a very long time. It can harm the environment. This new glass, however, is made from things that come from nature. Specifically, it’s made of amino acids or peptides, which are the building blocks of proteins.
After its use, it can be broken down by biological processes. This means that it won’t pile up in landfills or pollute the environment as traditional glass might. The glass is also recyclable. That means, in theory, it can be transformed back into useful materials rather than just becoming waste.
Creating this type of glass isn’t easy, though. Normally, glass is made by heating materials to very high temperatures until they melt and then cooling them down quickly—a process known as “quenching”. The trouble with using biological substances like amino acids is that they usually can’t handle this heat. They would break down or burn up before they turned into glass.
However, the researchers found a way around this by chemically changing the amino acids and peptides. These changes allowed them to withstand the high temperatures.
The scientists discovered that their new biodegradable glass has many good qualities. It’s clear, just like the glass we’re used to, and it’s quite strong. It can be made into different shapes and sizes. And, it still can break down safely after being used.
Prof. YAN and his team see potential in this new glass as an eco-friendly option for sustainable materials. However, it’s important to note that this glass isn’t ready to be made and sold in stores just yet. Right now, it’s still being tested and researched in the lab to learn more about how it can be made and used effectively.
These scientific developments represent a shift in how glass is produced and used. There’s a clear focus on reducing ecological impact. The insights gained from ancient Roman glass may contribute to advancements in photonics, while LionGlass offers a greener approach to manufacturing. The biodegradable glass being developed in China could ultimately lead to a reduction in glass-related environmental burdens.
As glass science continues to evolve, the material’s adaptability is becoming increasingly apparent. With further research and development, glass is set to play a pivotal role in sustainable technology. It reflects a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility within the field.
Parul Mathur has been writing since 2009. That’s when she discovered her love for SEO and how it works. She developed an interest in learning HTML and CSS a couple of years later, and React in 2020. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading, walking her dog, messing up her garden, or doodling.
