New Atlas

Materials Audio available

Medieval "stained glass" technique prevents bacterial infections

Michael Irving March 5, 2019

Bacteria are a huge problem in hospitals, where colonies can build up on instruments and cause potentially fatal infections in vulnerable patients. Now, researchers at Aston University have developed a new type of antimicrobial material that’s made using a centuries-old stained glass technique.

Materials

Nanoparticle coating defogs surfaces using light instead of electricity

Michael Irving March 5, 2019

Goggles, glasses and windshield can fog up if there’s a difference in temperature or humidity. Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new anti-fog coating that warms up the surface without needing electricity.

The new coating reacts to simulated sunlight to defog a glass surface

Materials Audio available

Breakthrough process welds metal and glass together using ultrafast lasers

Michael Irving March 4, 2019

Traditionally, welding has been limited to materials that share similar properties. But now, scientists are claiming a breakthrough method that can weld together materials as different as glass and metal, thanks to ultrafast laser pulses.

A new breakthrough technology has allowed scientists to weld metal and glass together by turning to ...

Environment

New process converts unrecyclable glass into saleable product

Ben Coxworth February 22, 2019

Although glass IS recyclable, the recycling process is generally limited to large pieces that can be easily sorted by color. Because it's not worth the effort to sort smaller fragments, they tend to simply be discarded. A new process, however, can convert them into a useful substance.

The recycling process can be used on mixed glass fragments of various colors

Architecture

Fantastic Pinecone Treehouse hangs high in the forest

Adam Williams December 13, 2018

We've covered a lot of treehouses over the years but this one is pretty unusual. Designed by 02 Treehouse's Dustin Feider, the pine cone-shaped shelter hangs high up in the trees. Its snug glazed interior has enough room for a double bed and offers choice views of the forest.

The Pinecone Treehouse is attached to the trees at a height of around 60 ft (15 ...

Architecture

Off-grid Glass Cabin provides peace on the prairie

Adam Williams September 6, 2018

Atelier Risting recently completed this nice example of a rural cabin on a farm owned by the same family for over 150 years. Partly constructed with reclaimed materials, it's raised on stilts, runs off-the-grid, and serves as an idyllic vacation retreat to get away from it all.

The Glass Cabin's generous glazing can be secured with sliding barn door-style covers when being left ...

Architecture Audio available

Seattle's iconic Space Needle tower gets a revolving glass floor

Nick Lavars August 5, 2018

A US$100 million makeover of Seattle’s Space Needle has been completed, with the observation tower receiving a number of modern upgrades. Among the new features are a cantilevered staircase and what has been dubbed the world’s first revolving glass floor.

176 tons of new glass were used in a renovation of Seattle's Space Needle tower

Architecture

Gibraltar's new Skywalk rewards the fearless with stunning views

Adam Williams July 9, 2018

With its unique history, location, and population of monkeys, the Rock of Gibraltar is already an interesting place to visit, but it recently received a new viewing point too. Installed near a former British WWII anti-aircraft platform, it provides amazing views of the area.

The Skywalk is located 340 m (1,115 ft) above sea level

Environment

Researchers turn low-level nuclear waste into glass

David Szondy May 16, 2018

PNNL has vitrified low-level radioactive waste taken from a tank at the decommissioned Hanford Site nuclear production complex in Washington state for the first time in a continuous process. The waste was turned into durable glass that immobilizes the radioactive and chemical compounds inside.

Scientists melt radioactive waste into glass in a test platform at PNNL designed to mimic a ...

Materials

Smart windows coated in mini-mirrors brighten gloomy rooms

Michael Irving May 8, 2018

Windows let light, warmth and a view into rooms, but we don’t always want all three of those at once. That’s why researchers in Switzerland are developing a relatively simple method to smarten up windows by embedding tiny mini-mirrors in them and keep rooms comfortable all year round.

Swiss researchers have developed smart windows covered in mini-mirrors, to better brighten a room