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Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

news.discovery.com

1–10 of 22 posts

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#2
Non-Newtonian fluidics is at work here [0].

If you want to try it at home, mix cornstash with water (roughly 2 to 1) and create an Oobleck [1]. Guaranteed success with kids (and adults who remained young at heart).

[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-newtonian_fluid

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-newtonian_fluid#Oobleck , http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&#3... , http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&#3... , http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&#3...

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#3
It's actually quite old, the idea of using liquids as a body armor. The problem with implementation was the weight of the liquids.

From this article, it has appeared that the problem was solved, since they mention that is a lot lighter and provides more freedom of movement.

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#4
post #3

It's actually quite old, the idea of using liquids as a body armor. The problem with implementation was the weight of the liquids. From this article, it has appeared that the problem was solved, since they mention that is a lot lighter and provides more freedom of movement.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/winter-olympics-body-armor.ht...

Being used for skiers and mentions its use in body armor at the time (2010). I'm pretty sure I read an earlier article than that one as well, perhaps from 2006 or so but I can't find it.

I can't tell from this new article if they've improved the fluid, or the method of application to kevlar is the novel part.

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#6

Question: If it hardens when it is disturbed, does it mean that it hardens if the wearer runs, for example? This would mean you still can't properly armor joints...

I think the more force (or acceleration?) it undergoes the more it hardens. So hopefully running wouldn't affect it, but a fast moving projectile would.

Have a good day.

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#8

Question: If it hardens when it is disturbed, does it mean that it hardens if the wearer runs, for example? This would mean you still can't properly armor joints...

500+MPH impacts are vary different than simple joint movements. Think of it like this, if you slowly move your hand though water you don't feel any resistance, jump off a bridge and hit it at 100MPH and the stuff might as well be concrete.

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#9
post #3

It's actually quite old, the idea of using liquids as a body armor. The problem with implementation was the weight of the liquids. From this article, it has appeared that the problem was solved, since they mention that is a lot lighter and provides more freedom of movement.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/winter-olympics-body-armor.ht... Being used for skiers and mentions its use in body armor at the time (2010). I'm pretty sure I read an earlier article than that one as well, perhaps from 2006 or so but I can't find it. I can't tell from this new article if they've improved the fluid, or the method of application to kevlar is the novel part.

I have a few-years-old pair of d3o motorcycling gloves; from the company that made the skier armor. It's not interwoven with kevlar, and I haven't "tested" it; but they have been around for quite a while.

Re: Forget about Kevlar: Liquid Body Armor Hardens on Impact

#10
post #3

It's actually quite old, the idea of using liquids as a body armor. The problem with implementation was the weight of the liquids. From this article, it has appeared that the problem was solved, since they mention that is a lot lighter and provides more freedom of movement.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/winter-olympics-body-armor.ht... Being used for skiers and mentions its use in body armor at the time (2010). I'm pretty sure I read an earlier article than that one as well, perhaps from 2006 or so but I can't find it. I can't tell from this new article if they've improved the fluid, or the method of application to kevlar is the novel part.

Maybe you're thinking of D3o (http://www.d3o.com/), which has been around since 2005 or so.
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