[QuantumClue (OP)]

... answer is a new type of glass.

http://www.stardrive.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3061:new-glass-tops-steel-in-strength-and-toughness&catid=43:science&Itemid=82

[Airthumbs]

Adds a whole new meaning to silicon valley!

[Geezer]

The article struck me as being a bit economical with actual data, like tensile strength for example. Mind you, if it is coming out of Silicon Valley, that doesn't surprise me too much  []

[CliffordK]

Hmmm.
I think they need some side-by-side comparisons.
Cast Iron?
Spring Steel?
Surgical Steel?

http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/27046/page1/

Shatter proof: An electron micrograph taken after a bending test. The sample did not fracture.
Credit: Maximilien E. Launey

It appears from the photo that virtually all the strength of the sample is lost from their stress test.  But, like Geezer says, the actual data seems to be sparse.

Geezer,
Here is some data...  I think.
Can you make heads or tails of it?

http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/01/glass-stronger-than-steel-is-now.html

The future is likely to bring new ceramics and glasses with some amazing properties.  Like the reusable space shuttle tiles (if they could only get them stuck on so they don't keep falling off).

I think they're saying the heat tolerance is low on this new "glass"...  Perhaps it is what people have been calling "Pot Metal" for decades, except this is very expensive Pot Metal.

[Foolosophy]

spider's web is a lot stronger than steel

[syhprum]

I think it is a bit late for any further development on this super white elephant shuttle I believe there is only one more launch scheduled.

[Geezer]

Hmmm.
I think they need some side-by-side comparisons.
Cast Iron?
Spring Steel?
Surgical Steel?

http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/27046/page1/

Shatter proof: An electron micrograph taken after a bending test. The sample did not fracture.
Credit: Maximilien E. Launey

It appears from the photo that virtually all the strength of the sample is lost from their stress test.  But, like Geezer says, the actual data seems to be sparse.

Geezer,
Here is some data...  I think.
Can you make heads or tails of it?

http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/01/glass-stronger-than-steel-is-now.html

The future is likely to bring new ceramics and glasses with some amazing properties.  Like the reusable space shuttle tiles (if they could only get them stuck on so they don't keep falling off).

I think they're saying the heat tolerance is low on this new "glass"...  Perhaps it is what people have been calling "Pot Metal" for decades, except this is very expensive Pot Metal.

It all depends what you mean by "strength", but this stuff does seem to have some very interesting properties that could make it very useful.

If you are only talking about one dimension of strength, like ultimate tensile strength for example, I think carbon nanotubes beat everything else hands down (in the lab at least).

[CliffordK]

If you are only talking about one dimension of strength, like ultimate tensile strength for example, I think carbon nanotubes beat everything else hands down (in the lab at least).

Carbon nanotubes are wonderful...  if everything you're building is a few mm long, and perhaps a few angstrom in diameter.

The great thing about the nanotubes is the excellent strength to weight ratio, but the real-world applications will be limited.  We'll likely see much more usage of graphite sheets in composites than nanotubes.  Except for applications where density is absolutely critical as in a space elevator. 

In fact, this will probably be the reality of these new materials.  They'll have some very limited applications.  Everything I've read is that the palladium content in this metal/ceramic will likely put it out of the general market.

If it does turn out to have better REPEATED stress tolerance than say aluminium/titanium alloys, or perhaps better fracture characteristics, then there may be applications in the aerospace industry.  Maybe for government contracts where the actual price isn't important (as long as they can get the newest gadgets).

But, don't expect to see palladium cars on the market any time soon.

[CliffordK]

Actually...
A ceramic cylinder sleeve might be an excellent application for a similar material.  But, in that case ductility may not be as important as wear characteristics.  I see links to Chinese made ceramic cylinders...  I wonder if they actually have quality products.

I keep seeing notes about new ceramic bearings.  Perhaps this alloy would take more abuse than other ceramic bearings, although not in high temperature applications which could be a problem in any friction environment, or in the use in engines.

[Geezer]

Carbon nanotubes are wonderful...  if everything you're building is a few mm long, and perhaps a few angstrom in diameter.

Well, I did say "in the lab". Nobody said anything about actual practical applications. After all, this is a science forum.  []

[Geezer]

Strangely enough, I can take a piece of steel and make it so hard that it will behave more like glass than steel, and shatter if I subject it to impact.

[imatfaal]

Strangely enough, I can take a piece of steel and make it so hard that it will behave more like glass than steel, and shatter if I subject it to impact.

If you could make it transparent as well - then we would be really impressed

[Foolosophy]

spider's web is many times stronger than steel

memory allows - remember them?

[Geezer]

If you could make it transparent as well - then we would be really impressed

Of course it's transparent (to some electromagnetic radiation).

[imatfaal]

If you could make it transparent as well - then we would be really impressed

Of course it's transparent (to some electromagnetic radiation).

The sort of electromagnetic radiation that if it does get through you get very ill?

[Geezer]

If you could make it transparent as well - then we would be really impressed

Of course it's transparent (to some electromagnetic radiation).

The sort of electromagnetic radiation that if it does get through you get very ill?

"I can assure you, our relationship was purely photonic!" said Arbuthnot Finknottle-Smythe, MP for Lower Mangelton-in-the-Marsh.

[yor_on]

Looked at it palladium.

Be smart "Platinum sells for $900.00 an ounce and Palladium sells for $190.00 an ounce. Auto manufactures will switch to catalytic converters made with Palladium instead of Platinum because of the cost. Platinum and Palladium do the same job; in fact, Palladium is actually better because it is more heat tolerant than Platinum."

It's rarer than Platinum.

BUY BUY BUY ) and make thy fortune

As for Germanium?

Germanium.

Buy Buy Buy. Go make thyself a fortune

Well, I'll take 10%, if you don't mind, but you will still get a nice profit methinks
===

Don't thank me, got inspired by those spamming our threads here
10% now, ya'hear )