Atomic structure benefits discovered

The same team has only recently discovered the atomic structure of glass, as it had previously been a mystery to science.

The team has found differences in the atomic structures that separate glasses into ‘strong’ and ‘fragile’, which are terms that refer to glass in its liquid state. The team found that by applying pressure to ‘strong’ glasses, the atomic structure will collapse in part and turn the glass into a more ‘fragile’ variety, which is easier to work in the liquid form.

Currently, in industry, this is achieved by adding network modifiers to silica, which makes window glass, so the material become more fragile. Leader of the research team, Professor Philip Salmon, said: ‘In time, we will design the properties of glass, instead of using the current cook and quench method.’

When glass formation is manipulated at atomic level, the bulk properties are effected, so this discovery could have future applications in the mass manufacturing of glassy materials. However, Professor Salmon said: ‘I doubt that the tried and tested methods [of glass production] will be replaced.’

Glass is neither a normal liquid nor normal solid, the atoms are fixed like a solid, but are arranged in a disorderly way like a liquid. Glass atoms are formed into tetrahedra (three-dimensional objects made by joining equilateral triangles with an atom at the centre and one at each corner), which are arranged in ring structures.

The team used zinc dichloride and germanium glass in their research but the results are relevant to silica-based glass as well. This new understanding of glass’ atomic structure is an important step forward in developing new glassy materials.