New Findings Could Inspire Advanced Materials for Spacecraft, Electronics, and Architecture
A team of Australian researchers has uncovered the molecular mechanism behind elasticity in flexible materials, paving the way for the development of next-generation building materials, spacecraft components, and electronic devices.
The study, conducted by scientists at The University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), investigated how elastic crystals bend and return to their original shape. The findings, published in Nature Materials, provide a deeper understanding of energy storage and recovery at the molecular level.
Unlocking the Secret of Elastic Crystals
Elasticity—the ability of materials to return to their original shape after being stretched or compressed—is essential for optical fibers, aircraft parts, and even skyscrapers. However, the precise molecular interactions that enable elasticity in certain crystalline materials have remained unclear.
Professor Jack Clegg from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences explained how the team studied the forces at work within these materials.
“We examined how flexible crystals bend, contract, and then restore themselves, identifying how energy is stored and released at the molecular level,” Clegg said.
The researchers bent and deformed crystals, including one developed at UQ that can be tied into a knot, and analyzed how intermolecular interactions changed under compressive and expansive strain.
Key Discovery: How Energy is Stored in Crystals
The study revealed that the energy required for the crystal to return to its original shape is stored in the rotational and reorganizational movement of molecules within the structure.
- As the crystal bends, molecules shift into a strained configuration, creating a difference in energy storage between the inner and outer regions of the bend.
- Once the strain is released, the stored energy spontaneously restores the crystal’s original shape.
- This process was so efficient that a bent crystal could store enough energy to lift an object 30 times its weight by one meter.
Potential Applications: From Spacecraft to Smart Materials
This newfound understanding of elasticity could lead to the development of advanced hybrid materials with customizable flexibility and resilience. These materials could be used in:
- Aerospace engineering – for spacecraft components that require durability and flexibility.
- Construction and architecture – for self-repairing or impact-resistant materials.
- Electronic devices – for flexible screens or sensors in wearable technology.
Professor John McMurtrie from QUT emphasized the broader implications of the study, noting that the technique used could be applied to millions of known and undiscovered crystals.
“Elasticity is fundamental to both life and technology, allowing everything from skyscrapers to animal movement. This research opens the door to designing new materials with tailored flexibility,” McMurtrie said.
Future Prospects
By applying this method to other crystalline materials, researchers aim to develop new smart materials capable of adapting their elastic properties for specific applications.
With elasticity being a cornerstone of modern engineering and natural systems, this study brings us one step closer to designing next-generation materials that combine strength, flexibility, and resilience.
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