Scientists develop DNA-based glass material stronger than steel

Researchers from the University of Connecticut, Columbia University, and Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new material by using DNA as a scaffold to create nanoscale glass crystals. This hybrid material is reported to be five times lighter than steel and four times stronger, offering an exceptional strength-to-density ratio.

While glass is typically brittle due to structural defects like cracks or missing atoms, this new method creates nearly defect-free structures at the nano level. This allows the material to withstand significant pressure. The research team, including nanomaterials scientist Oleg Gang, noted that the concept of a material being simultaneously lightweight and incredibly strong was inspired by the functional requirements of fictional armor, such as that seen in Iron Man.