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Not steel, but I was impressed to learn about the physics of obsidian knives produced during the Mayan civilization: > When skillfully worked, the edges of pri
by lioeters 6y ago
Not steel, but I was impressed to learn about the physics of obsidian knives produced during the Mayan civilization:
> When skillfully worked, the edges of prismatic blade made from obsidian can reach the molecular level, i.e., the material has a cutting edge that is only one molecule thick.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_use_in_Mesoamerica#cite_note-5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_use_in_Mesoamerica#ci...
- ethbro 6y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_knife#Modern_use https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_knife#Modern_use
- lioeters 6y agoFascinating! > [Glass knives] were once the blade of choice for the ultra-thin sectioning required in transmission electron microscopy because they can be manufactured by hand. > ..Some labs still use glass knives because they are significantly less expensive than diamond knives. A common practice is to use a glass knife to cut the block which contains the sample to near the location of the specimen to be examined. > Then the glass knife is replaced by a diamond blade for the actual ultrathin sectioning. This extends the life of the diamond blade which is used only when its superior performance is critical. > Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass, can also be used to make sharp glass knives; obsidian surgical scalpels are available commercially.
- ethbro 6y agoI have family in pathology. Labs do a lot of sample sectioning before microscopy. Thin enough to stain and visualize internal structures (think onion skin). PS: Never mention anything about this around TSA.