ScienceAugust 30, 2026
embrittles
im-BRIT-ulz
Definition
To make a material hard, stiff, and prone to breaking or cracking under stress.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'em-' (meaning to make or put into) combined with 'brittle,' which originates from the Middle English 'brutel,' meaning fragile or breakable.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe how ultraviolet radiation weakens the structural integrity of the paint's binder over time, leading to degradation.
Passive radiative cooling paints bridge materials design and real-world performance
Read the full article ↗Bioengineer.org