Scientists Unveil the Ultimate Egg-Shock Solution That Could Revolutionize Packaging Forever

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As every shopper understands, eggs come packaged in cardboard containers arranged neatly in upward-facing rows.

However, nothing compares to bringing them home only to discover that a few of these delicate items have been shattered and spoiled.

Currently, an unexpected new research proposes a groundbreaking method for packaging and storing eggs.

Actually, experts share that they would fare much better lying on their side with a sideways orientation instead of an upward one.

Lab experiments at Massachusetts The research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) indicates that raw chicken eggs are less prone to cracking when dropped on their sides.

Since the 'equator' of an egg can handle greater impact, the packaging ought to be improved to safeguard the two more fragile ends.

What's more, if we were to pick them up horizontally out of a cardboard container, they'd be less likely to crack if we dropped them straight on the floor.

The MIT researchers state in their paper, released today, "Eggs prove more resilient when subjected to pressure along their equatorial region," as noted in the publication. Communications Physics .

To compare how large raw chicken eggs fracture under similar conditions, the researchers performed drop tests with different orientations: horizontally along their equator, vertically on their pointed ends, and vertically on their rounded ends.

In total, they tested 180 eggs—60 at each of the three distinct heights: 0.31, 0.35, and 0.39 inches (which correspond to 8, 9, and 10 millimeters respectively).

Should researchers discover a crack in the shell, the egg would be categorized as damaged.

In general, they observed a 'statistically significant reduction' in the probability of an egg breaking when placed horizontally compared to vertically.

The number of eggs that cracked when impacted on their equator was lower than those impacted on their poles

On average, eggs broken when dropped vertically shattered at a lesser height of 8.66 mm as opposed to those dropped horizontally, which broke at 8.9 mm.

Over half of the eggs fell directly down from a height of 8 millimeters and broke (it didn’t matter which end was facing downward).

At the same time, fewer than 10 percent of horizontally dropped eggs broke when dropped from the same height.

Egg drop results

8MM DROP HEIGHT :

Horizontal - 5% of the eggs were cracked

Sharp end - 55% of the eggs were cracked

Blunt end - 55% of the eggs were cracked

9MM DROP HEIGHT :

Horizontal - 30% of the eggs were cracked

Sharp end - 70% of the eggs were broken

Blunt end - 85% of the eggs were cracked

10MM DROP HEIGHT :

Horizontal - 45% of the eggs were cracked

Sharp end - 80% of eggs cracked

Blunt end - 80% of eggs cracked

A further 60 eggs were subjected to compression tests, which measured the force required to crack the eggs vertically and horizontally.

Although 45 newtons of force were needed to break the eggs regardless of their orientation, the eggs placed horizontally could be compressed more before they cracked.

Scientists believe that eggs are more pliable around their 'equator,' allowing them to withstand greater impact in this position without cracking.

The findings also refute the common misconception that an egg dropped vertically is less prone to cracking.

"We challenge the widely accepted notion that an egg is most resistant to impact when dropped vertically onto its end," state the researchers in their paper.

These findings indicate that when an egg is dropped along its equatorial region, it may withstand higher drop distances before cracking.

In general, packaging that exposes the center of the egg rather than both ends might provide superior protection for the item inside.

The findings also indicate that the most effective method to break open a raw egg for culinary purposes is by tapping its top or bottom rather than striking it around the center as many people typically do.

However, the team admit that various material and geometric factors may contribute to the overall toughness of an egg.

In their research article, scientists mention that the durability of eggshells holds significance extending beyond just avian eggs.

In nature, shells serve as protective coverings for soft-bodied creatures like turtle shells and sea shells, as well as the exterior coatings of viruses and bacteria.

Future research could also apply the new findings to engineering scenarios, such as how structures respond to dynamic loads.

'The insights into the mechanical failures of these structures could therefore facilitate advancements across a wide array of applications, including the development of protective gear and drug delivery systems,' according to the team.

Scientists claim the perfect boiled egg takes 32 minutes - so MailOnline puts their method to the test (with surprising results!)

Humans have been eating eggs for millions of years, but it turns out we've been cooking them all wrong.

Scientists at the University of Naples claim to have devised a method for the perfect boiled egg with an 'exquisite' smooth orange yolk. MailOnline put the eggs-periment to the test – with surprising results .

As per the experts' recommendation, the egg needs to be submerged in boiling water for two minutes initially, then transferred to a container with 30°C water for an additional two minutes.

This needs to be done an additional seven times, making it a total of eight cycles altogether — leading to a combined cooking duration of 32 minutes.

This technique addresses the frequent problem of ending up with a white that’s underdone alongside a runny yolk, or conversely, a perfectly set white paired with an overly done yolk — issues commonly encountered with traditional approaches.

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