By creating a new coating for plastic out of clay, scientists have found a way to keep our food fresh, longer.
The substance is a thin film of sodium montmorillonite, and when added as a coating to your everyday plastic food wrapper, it’s significantly stronger and dramatically reduces the transmission of oxygen — preserving the food within better. Comparably as good for storage as glass, it also has the advantage over other food packages in that it’s still completely transparent and microwave safe. Nicknamed nano-bricks because the material looks like bricks and mortar under a microscope, it could be the thing keeping your twinkies fresh in the future. The material could also potentially be used as a gas barrier or as flame retardant film.
