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Proteus : The World's First Non-Cuttable Material

The material inspired by shells and grapefruits can turn back the force of a cutting tool upon itself.


Named Proteus after the shape-changing god,  the material is constructed of ceramic spheres encased in cellular aluminium structures that cannot be cut even by water jets.

The tough cellular skins of the grapefruit and the fracture-resistant shell of molluscs are the core of ideation of the new material. 


How exactly is the idea inspired by nature? 


  • The free fall of a grapefruit does not damage it’s pulp because it’s peel made up of vascular bundles and an open pore cellular structure.

  • Arapaimas fish resist the attack of a piranha’s teeth through the hierarchical design of their scales.

  • Narce of Abalon ( in simpler terms, mother of pearl) has hard organic, an inflexible layer 


The system is dynamic with an evolving internal structure that creates high-speed motion when it interacts with cutting tools.


The material is made from a cellular aluminium structure wrapped around ceramic spheres which is destructive for cutting tools.


Proteus Material | Maximum Impact of grinder
Maximum Impact of Angle Grinder on sample


When a cutting tool encounters the ceramic sphere, localized load on the rim of the rotating disc is produced which ultimately leads to high-frequency, out of plane vibrations.


Instead of preventing this fragmentation by using a harder material than aluminium, embracing it because the fine particulate matter produced is useful for the abrasion of disc used to cut the material.

In simpler words, the interaction between the cutting disc and the sphere creates an interlocking and the blade becomes blunt since it’s energy and force is turned upon itself.


Water jets are also ineffective since the curved sphere widens the spread of the jet, reducing the speed.


The analogy stated by Lead Author Dr Stefan Szyniszweski is given as:


“Essentially cutting our material is like cutting through a jelly-filled with nuggets. If you get through the jelly you hit the nuggets and the material will vibrate in such a way that it destroys the cutting disc or drill bit.”


How is Proteus manufactured?


Mnufacturing of Proteus
Manufacturing of Proteus

  • Manufacturing steps include mixing metal powder with a small amount of foaming agent. 

  • It is followed by pressing the mix and extrusion into preform shapes. 

  • The compressed powder bars enable precise placement of ceramic segments in the orthogonal pattern and manufacturing of the end product in an industrial furnace.

Angle Grinder Attack on Proteus

This is intriguing since it goes on to show that despite having weak organic building blocks like seen in those of grapefruits, and mother of Pearl go onto protecting what’s inside them.

The material can have a multitude of applications in a wide spectrum of industries ranging from security to safety industries such as bike locks, lightweight armour etcetera.


To know how Coca-Cola led a revolution, click here.


Bibliography:


https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65976-0#Abs1

https://scitechdaily.com/proteus-technology-new-material-is-strong-light-and-non-cuttable/





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