BioPykrete: Plant Crystals and Protein Make Ice 10 Times Stronger
New 'Super Ice' 10 Times Stronger, Bringing It Close to the Strength of Concrete
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created BioPykrete, a composite of ice, cellulose nanocrystals, and a custom protein that is 10 times stronger than regular ice and absorbs 70 times more energy before breaking. Inspired by WWII-era Pykrete, the material could serve as a sustainable building material in remote, cold regions like the Arctic and Antarctic, though it remains a small-scale proof of concept.
We wanted to go beyond simply mixing fibers into ice and instead control how the different materials connect at the molecular level. The result changes not only how strong the ice is, but also how it breaks. Instead of suddenly shattering, it can absorb much more energy and deform gradually.
- fifilura
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- api
This type of ice composite would be super interesting for space structure construction. Melt cometary ice and mix it with additives of some kind and spin big cylinders out of it. You’d just have to make the surface reflective so it doesn’t melt, and possibly have some active cooling which you need anyway if anything inside makes heat.
Extremely repairable, melts at human and equipment friendly temperatures, recyclable, doubles as an emergency water reservoir, and last but definitely not least a fantastic cosmic ray shield.
- gaiagraphia
The article briefly touches on future packaging. Would ice ever be useful in packaging frozen foods? It'd be biodegradable, and would be a sign of trust that the goods have been permanently frozen from packaging to delivery.
You'd literally be able to just throw the trash outside and let it feed your garden, lol.