No Cracks About Glass Runways, Please

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

My daughter Ann sent me a video about an astonishing and novel use of materials – glass highways that interact with drivers and collect solar power.  Sharing this with Dr. Seeley caused him to share it with his sons, who had immediate feedback.  Damon Seeley is co-founder and partner with Cameron McNall in Electroland, a collaborative design firm that creates interactive displays involving light, sound, and a variety of media.  He thinks, “The idea is sound,” but shares some caveats based on his experience.  “I’m sure they have wildly optimistic cost projections of what it takes to produce and install these.  Also I now have 5 years’ experience with the extreme unpredictability of sandwich constructions under real-world shear loading from footsteps.  I can only imagine what a semi-trailer in ABS brake mode will impart to the surface.  They are going to need carbon nano-tube adhesives.” Structurally, Corning may have part of the answer with its Gorilla glass, something invented in …