GoKawiilHebrew University team develops 'BioPykrete' ice 10 times stronger than regular ice
Researchers led by biochemist Ido Braslavsky at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created a reinforced ice material called BioPykrete by combining plant-based crystals with a custom protein. The material is reported to be 10 times stronger than ordinary ice and can absorb 70 times more energy before breaking, with findings published in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The researchers suggest the material could serve as a low-carbon, biodegradable alternative to concrete and steel for construction in remote cold regions like the Arctic and Antarctic, where transporting conventional materials is difficult. This echoes the WWII-era Pykrete concept but with molecular-level engineering that changes how the ice fractures, potentially making it more practical for real-world structural use, though it remains an early-stage material rather than a proven building product.
- BioPykrete combines plant-based crystals and a bespoke protein with ice to boost strength and energy absorption.
- The material is 10 times stronger than regular ice and absorbs 70 times more energy before breaking.
- Researchers envision use in cold, remote construction settings as a low-carbon, biodegradable alternative to concrete and steel.
Source: sciencealert.com — David Nield, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “New 'Super Ice' 10 Times Stronger, Bringing It Close to the Strength of Concrete”
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