A team of physicists from the Technical University of Denmark has conducted a study to determine which types of paper are most likely to cause painful paper cuts. Their findings were published in Physical Review E, with researchers Sif Fink Arnbjerg-Nielsen, Matthew Biviano, and Kaare Jensen leading the investigation.
https://tinyurl.com/4h4ym7fv
Paper cuts, those minor yet painful injuries, occur during the handling of various paper products. While much of the existing research on the topic focuses on infection risks, this study shifts the focus to identifying the types of paper most likely to cause such injuries.
By doing so, the researchers hope to provide insights that could help people reduce the chances of getting a paper cut.To simulate the conditions under which paper cuts happen, the researchers used ballistics gelatin as a substitute for human skin.
They tested the cutting potential of different types of paper by attempting to slice through the gelatin, paying close attention to the paper's thickness, sturdiness, and the angle at which it was applied.The study revealed that the thinnest papers are less likely to cause cuts because they tend to buckle under pressure.
Conversely, very thick paper also rarely leads to cuts, as its broader surface area distributes the force too evenly to break the skin. The paper types most likely to cause cuts were those that fall between these two extremes in thickness, such as newspaper and dot-matrix printer paper—both of which were found to be particularly dangerous.Other paper types identified as common culprits include Post-It notes, printed magazines, and standard office paper.
On the other hand, tissue paper and photo paper were found to be much less likely to cause injuries. The researchers also noted that paper is more likely to cut when held at a slight angle.
https://tinyurl.com/4h4ym7fv
In an interesting twist, the team demonstrated the cutting power of dot-matrix printer paper by attaching a small piece to a scalpel, creating a "paper machete." This makeshift tool was surprisingly effective, even slicing through vegetable skins and some meats.
https://tinyurl.com/4h4ym7fv
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