德雷塞尔大学的研究人员发现，某些非弹性的简单液体在受到足够大的拉伸应力时，会发生类似固体的脆性断裂 [1]。这一结果挑战了以往认为只有具有弹性的复杂流体才能发生断裂的传统理论 [1]。研究人员 Thamires Lima 和 Nicolas J. Alvarez 通过实验证实，氢碳混合的简单流体在拉伸时会发出清脆的断裂声并发生断裂 [1]。
实验中观测到的裂纹传播速度极快，约为 500 至 1,500 米/秒，远高于复杂流体的约 0.07 米/秒 [1]。测试显示，无论是复杂流体还是简单流体，其发生断裂的临界应力值均约为 2 兆帕 [1]。实验设备的最大移动速度限制为 500 毫米/秒，研究人员推测若提高速度，可能使蜂蜜甚至水等低粘度液体也发生断裂 [1]。
Researchers at Drexel University have discovered that certain non-elastic simple liquids can undergo brittle fracture similar to solids when subjected to sufficiently large tensile stress [1]. This finding challenges the traditional theory which held that only elastic complex fluids were capable of such failure [1]. Through experiments, researchers Thamires Lima and Nicolas J. Alvarez confirmed that hydrogen-carbon mixed simple fluids emit a crisp snapping sound and break under tension [1]. The propagation speed of cracks within these simple liquids is extremely fast, ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters per second, which is significantly higher than the approximately 0.07 meters per second observed in complex fluids [1]. Testing indicates that both complex and simple fluids exhibit a critical stress value for fracture of about 2 megapascals [1]. The experimental equipment used had a maximum moving speed limit of 500 millimeters per second; based on this, the researchers speculate that increasing the speed could potentially cause low-viscosity liquids such as honey or water to also undergo fracture [1].