Ring molecules (differentiated by colors) exhibit mutual threadings that inhibits their motion and renders the glass
Ring molecules (differentiated by colors) exhibit mutual threadings that inhibits their motion and renders the glass (© Jan Smrek, University of Vienna). Physicists at the University of Vienna in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have discovered a new type of glass formed by long, cyclic molecules. The scientists successfully demonstrated that by making parts of the rings more mobile, the rings become more strongly entangled and the molecular fluid glassifies. The novel "active topological glass" is presented Communications. Glass materials are ubiquitous in everyday life, ranging from window panes to porcelain espresso cups. Even PET plastic bottles, made of long polymeric molecules, are considered a form of glass. All these examples are produced by rapid cooling of a melt of particles, such as silica in case of windows or polymers in plastic bottles.
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