Formula for a new foam.

As the 2010 phaseout date for chlorofluorocarbons draws nearer, materials engineers are working to find replacements for these ozone-depleting chemicals in the production of plastics and other products. One team of engineers is focusing on a combination of two low-cost and environmentally benign substances--supercritical carbon dioxide and clay nanoparticles--to meet these needs. The result is a strong yet lightweight alternative that retains all the beneficial qualities of solid plastic.