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Seashell-inspired cement is super stretchy, crack-resistant, unbreakable | The new material is 19x more flexible, stretches without breaking, and 17x more crack-resistant than regular cement.


Researchers draw inspiration from oyster shells to create a durable cement composite which is more flexible and crack-resistant.

Cross-sectional view and SEM micrograph illustrate the brick-and-mortar structure of natural nacre, showcasing aragonite tablets connected by a flexible organic matrix.The group drew inspiration for their work on creating materials from biology. “This synergy between the hard and soft components is crucial to nacre’s remarkable mechanical properties,” said Shashank Gupta, a graduate student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University, in a statement. The Princeton researchers used common building supplies like Portland cement paste and a small amount of polymer to create novel composites inspired by nacre.

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