Scientists: We Made the First Material That Can't Be Cut

[Robert59]

Inspired by abalone shells, its first application might be bike locks

Scientists in the UK have bad news for bike thieves: They say they've created the first artificial material that cannot be cut. In fact, the more someone tries to cut it, the more damage they will do to their blade, per a post at Phys.org. The material, dubbed Proteus, takes its inspiration from the unlikely duo of abalone shells and grapefruit peels—not so much from the actual material of their protections but from the way that material is structured.

https://www.newser.com/story/293894/this-shell-may-inspire-your-next-bike-lock.html

 

[Aunt Marg]

Love stuff like this!

So fun and interesting!

Thanks greatly for the article, Robert!

P.S. Wishing you a safe, healthy, and relaxing Sunday!

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Why is it that it took scientist years of dogged testing, and exacting work to come up with a material that prevents bikes from being stolen, and about 15 minutes for thieves to figure out a way to steal 'em.

 

[AnnieA]

Very interesting!

 

[Pecos]

That is very interesting we studied the "crystalline structure" of materials in my engineering courses and it was amazing to me how it affects the properties beyond the molecular structure.

One of the deficiencies they have with ultra hard metals is that thieves learned to use a freezing spray on the lock and then smack it which would cause the lock to shatter. If this new material can solve that problem then they have a big winner.

That is until like fuzzybuddy says, the thieves figure out how to defeat them

 

[Knight]

Is bike theft such a major crime science spends time on trying to defeat bike theft? I'd be more impressed if the article showed a variety of other uses as part of the article.

 

[Pecos]

Is bike theft such a major crime science spends time on trying to defeat bike theft? I'd be more impressed if the article showed a variety of other uses as part of the article.

Oh, the price of some of these high tech bicycles can blow you away and I gather that reselling them is fairly easy for the thieves.
I suspect that we may start to see this new material used in cutlery and drill bits.

 

[Knight]

Oh, the price of some of these high tech bicycles can blow you away and I gather that reselling them is fairly easy for the thieves.
I suspect that we may start to see this new material used in cutlery and drill bits.

I know that high tech bicycles can be pricey. My son bought one custom fit to his height he thought was cheap @$6,500.00. The total weight including tires I picked up using one finger. The thing is he doesn't leave it out where theft could take place. I'm pretty sure others that pay a small fortune for these bikes do the same.

I was thinking along the lines if light enough car parts like fenders and other exterior molded parts. Maybe bullet proof vest if penetration by the usual means won't cut thru. The article made no mention of other potentials that was the reason for my previous post.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Oh, the price of some of these high tech bicycles can blow you away and I gather that reselling them is fairly easy for the thieves.
I suspect that we may start to see this new material used in cutlery and drill bits.

Pecos...you are right. Just the other day a friend said she was looking to buy a new bike. When she told me one price, I was astonished (under $1,000) so I started looking up options for her. I saw a bike that was about $3,500! Some people can buy a car for that much. The one she was interested in was closer to $700.

Cool new development for bike owners and for any other types of locks. Wonder what the cost will be.