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(visit the link for the full news article)
Rice, MIT research could help maximize strength of body armor for soldiers, aerospace materials
In the macro world, it’s easy to see what happens when a bullet hits an object. But what happens at the nanoscale with very tiny bullets?
A Rice University lab, in collaboration with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and its Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, decided to find out by creating the nanoscale target materials, the microscale ammo and even the method for firing
Originally posted by ChesterJohn
this stuff has potential applications in not just aerospace but even the auto industry and not just the windshields. though bulletproof and rock proof windshields would be great.
Bullet and puncture proof tires, lightweight doors and panels that take a hit and don't crunch. this would mean that cars and truck bodies and tires would be lighter weight than the petroleum based plastic alloy panels and rubber tires we use today. Lighter tires and lighter cars would mean that high-bred engines and electric cars could indeed run longer, further and efficiently.
This stuff has potential in other fields as well.
news.rice.edu
(visit the link for the full news article)edit on 16-11-2012 by ChesterJohn because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by chaztekno
reply to post by ChesterJohn
Shame the patents will be bought up by the big hitters to stop this stuff becoming available, because longer lasting things means people spend less money.
“We want to find out why this polyurethane works the way it does. Theoretically, no one understood why this particular kind of material – which has nanoscale features of glassy and rubbery domains – would be so good at dissipating energy,” he said.
Originally posted by Philippines
Pretty cool stuff, and scary at the same time. It reminds me of the Indian in the Cupboard book series with micro bullets from small animated plastic military soldiers.Great find, thanks!
It is fascinating to see this kind of thinking going on and I'm sure given the resources and knowledge, anyone of us would probably enjoy "playing", er, experimenting on this scientific hypothesis.
Point aside, it's sad to see that this type of knowledge is being entertained. Fun and all for the ones involved, but of what value is the research, to whom, and to what ends would the knowledge be applied and for what future potential purpose? (Edit, ok yes I realized space travel shielding, but I am talking about Earth applications as they would probably be used more frequently on Earth than space.)edit on 16-11-2012 by Philippines because: ETA: remembered space applications as edit shows =)
Originally posted by TKDRL
Lightweight may be nice for the city, but not around here.
Too windy, smart cars have literally been blown off the roads into ditches before.
Plasteel is a clear substance of terran design, akin to glass.[1] However, the "steel" suffix suggests that it is rather durable as well, especially in the context of neo and paristeel. It is known to be used on capital ships in the quarters of high ranking officers such as generals and admirals, allowing them a view into space. This is in contrast to other individuals, who are afforded no such luxury.[1] However, it appears that the glass windows of robo-harvester cabins are made of plasteel.[2]