Two-dimensional polymer helps create a new lightweight material that is stronger than steel

[HAL9000]

Plastic at the molecular level is 3 dimensional, in the quote below, its compared to spaghetti.

"Instead of making a spaghetti-like molecule, we can make a sheet-like molecular plane, where we get molecules to hook themselves together in two dimensions," Strano says. "This mechanism happens spontaneously in solution, and after we synthesize the material, we can easily spin-coat thin films that are extraordinarily strong."

Two-dimensional polymer helps create a new lightweight material that is stronger than steel

Using a novel polymerization process, MIT chemical engineers have created a new material that is stronger than steel and as light as plastic, and can be easily manufactured in large quantities.

phys.org

Number of applications,

• may be able to create a tough paint which gives greater protection.
• One of the scientists involved has suggested using this as a membrane for purifying water.
• make very thin films which are gas tight, food bags can trap air but they still leak a small amount of air and are relatively thick compared to these 2d films being created.

"This could allow us to create ultrathin coatings that can completely prevent water or gases from getting through," Strano says. "This kind of barrier coating could be used to protect metal in cars and other vehicles, or steel structures."

Such a material could be used as a lightweight, durable coating for car parts or cell phones, or as a building material for bridges or other structures, says Michael Strano, the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT and the senior author of the new study.

So a film of this material could be added to clothes to make them stronger and/or waterproof.

It should be possible to make large quanties of the new material, so instead of making films perhaps clothes and building materials could be made from this 2d plastic.

 

[weltweit]

Sounds interesting ..