Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast Episode 107: Glass Science with Schott
Jul 1, 2025
Join Sebastian Leukel, a glassmaking expert from SCHOTT AG, and Colin Schmucker, a specialist in semicon glass solutions, as they dive into the remarkable world of glass. They discuss the historical evolution of glass, from its natural origins to groundbreaking production methods like containerless melting. Discover the fascinating science behind glass properties, debunking myths and examining advancements that enhance its use in everything from cookware to fusion energy technologies. It's a captivating exploration of a material we often take for granted!
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Precision Tuning Refractive Index
- Fine-tuning refractive index in optical glass occurs via precise thermal processing after choosing composition.
- This tuning can reach precision levels of five to six digits behind the decimal point.
Heavy Elements Boost Refractive Index
- High refractive index glasses require heavy elements like lanthanum, barium, titanium, or niobium beyond classic glass formers.
- Such glasses are difficult to manufacture due to crystallization tendencies without classical glass formers.
Containerless Melting for Purity
- Consider containerless melting (levitated droplets heated by lasers) to prevent contamination and enable ultra-fast cooling.
- This technique is academic currently and not scalable for industrial glass production.