A new machine-learning algorithm for exploring lightweight, very stiff glass compositions can help design next-gen materials for more efficient vehicles and wind turbines. Glasses can reinforce polymers to generate composite materials that provide similar strengths as metals but with less weight.

Liang Qi, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Michigan, answered questions about his group’s new paper in npj Computational Materials.

What is elastic stiffness? Elastic and glass don’t seem to be two words that go together.

All solid materials, including glass, have a property called elastic stiffness — also known as elastic modulus. It’s a measure of how much force per unit area is needed to make the material bend or stretch. If that change is elastic, the material can totally recover its original shape and size once you stop the force.

Why do we want light and very stiff glasses?

Elastic stiffness is critical for any materials in structural applications. Higher stiffness means that you can sustain the same force loading with a thinner material. For example, the structural glass in car windshields, and in touch screens on smartphones and other screens, can be made thinner and lighter if the glasses are stiffer. Glass fiber composites are widely used lightweight materials for cars, trucks and wind turbines, and we can make these parts even lighter.

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Michigan. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.