2018-12-01_Discover

Vitrification

WHILE LIGHTNING CAN, in fact, strike the same

place twice, if it strikes enough sand, it can create

glass. That process — turning something into

glass — is called vitrification. In this case, the

sand heats up and liquefies, then rapidly cools

into a glasslike state. Vitrification pops up all

over, beyond traditional glass. Fertility experts

use extreme cooling to vitrify immature human

eggs and embryos, better preserving them.

We also vitrify some radioactive waste for safe

storage by liquefying it and mixing in glass-

forming compounds like silica sand, until it cools

into a safe-to-store chunk of glass.  LACY SCHLEY;

ILLUSTRATION BY CHAD EDWARDS

THAT WORD YOU HEARD

14 DISCOVERMAGAZINE.COM

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