Scientists Create First Computer Model of 'Ideal Glass'

Breakthrough could guide design of stronger, more versatile industrial materials.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers at the University of Oregon have created the first computer model of an 'ideal glass,' a theoretical material physicists have long sought to understand. The model demonstrates how molecules can be packed as tightly and stably as possible in an amorphous, non-crystalline structure, providing new insights into the behavior of disordered materials.

Why it matters

The discovery of an 'ideal glass' structure could help researchers better understand the glass transition process and guide the development of advanced materials like metallic glasses, which combine the strength of metals with the flexibility of glass-like structures. This could revolutionize manufacturing by enabling the production of complex parts through molding rather than traditional methods.

The details

Led by physicist Eric Corwin, the research team used advanced computational modeling to build a structure where molecules are arranged randomly yet remain mechanically stable, unlike typical crystalline materials. They drew inspiration from the honeycomb-like pattern of two-dimensional crystals, but removed the repeating structure to maintain tight packing without order. Testing showed this amorphous configuration exhibited mechanical properties comparable to crystals.

  • The research findings were published in the journal Physical Review Letters in March 2026.

The players

Eric Corwin

A physicist at the University of Oregon who led the research team that created the first computer model of an 'ideal glass.'

Walter Kauzmann

A Princeton chemist who proposed the idea of an 'ideal glass' state in 1948, theorizing that cooling glass far enough could produce a perfectly stable amorphous structure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you look at glass at a molecular level, you would see that the molecules are arranged amorphously. They're kind of random. They're all pushed up against one another, but there's no structure.”

— Eric Corwin, Physicist, University of Oregon (interestingengineering.com)

“The conclusion is that our structure mechanically behaves identically to a crystal, even though it is completely amorphous.”

— Eric Corwin, Physicist, University of Oregon (interestingengineering.com)

What’s next

The researchers plan to expand their work beyond two-dimensional simulations to explore ideal glass structures in three-dimensional systems.

The takeaway

The creation of the first computer model of an 'ideal glass' represents a major breakthrough in understanding the behavior of disordered materials. This discovery could guide the development of stronger and more versatile industrial materials, potentially revolutionizing manufacturing processes.