Spinel is actually a mineral, it's magnesium aluminate, says Dr. Jas Sanghera, who leads the research. The advantage is it's so much tougher, stronger, harder than glass. It provides better protection in more hostile environments—so it can withstand sand and rain erosion. As a more durable material, a thinner layer of spinel can give better performance than glass. For weight-sensitive platforms-UAVs [unmanned autonomous vehicles], head-mounted face shields—it's a game-changing technology.

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Translated by CERADIR® Team