BioPykrete ice composite reportedly tests 10 times stronger than regular ice
PhysicsUnverifiedUpdated:
An ice composite called BioPykrete reportedly tested ten times stronger than regular ice. The small proof-of-concept study uses plant-derived cellulose nanocrystals and an engineered protein.
Adding cellulose and a binding protein to ice
ScienceAlert reports that researchers made BioPykrete by adding cellulose nanocrystals and the protein CBM3a-AFPIII to ice. The report describes a small-scale proof-of-concept study and says the material deforms more gradually rather than shattering suddenly.
The reported tests compare BioPykrete with regular ice; no broader real-world construction comparison is established here.
Researchers reportedly combined ice, cellulose nanocrystals, and a designed binding protein into BioPykrete, a composite that tested 10 times stronger than regular ice and absorbed 70 times more energy before breaking.
If subsequent testing supports the result, the approach could inform ice-based materials for remote cold environments. Long-term durability and performance under changing conditions still require study.
Sources
- ScienceAlertA New 'Super Ice' Is 10 Times Stronger, Bringing It Close to The Strength of ConcreteRead source →