Live data from Hacker News

Starlite

en.wikipedia.org

1–10 of 75 posts

Re: Starlite

#5
http://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-557...

> Mr Ward came to my lab about a year before his death needing help to turn what was essentially a party trick into a useable & commercialy viable product. The problem he had was although the powder component did exactly as it said on the tin, he had found no way of applying a lasting coating. All he really has was some powder mixed with PVA glue, the problem being that although you could apply it to certain objects it's longevity was no more than 2 weeks. While testing we discovered that a sample he'd kept for almost 10 years could be destroyed in a matter of minutes under a methylacetylene-propadiene propane blowtorch. Unfortunately after many samples & tests we where unable to find a effective application method & we parted company on good terms. Sadly this is the true reason why Mr Ward was never able to sell or bring his incomplete product to market.

Re: Starlite

#6

Sounds like aerogel.

Yes, except that aerogel is well-understood, both as to composition and behavior. This stuff is a first-class mystery. Too bad the inventor, good at science, was so bad at business.

Re: Starlite

#7
post #5

http://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-557... > Mr Ward came to my lab about a year before his death needing help to turn what was essentially a party trick into a useable & commercialy viable product. The problem he had was although the powder component did exactly as it said on the tin, he had found no way of applying a lasting coating. All he really has was some powder mixed with PVA glue, the pr…

The best heat resistant materials we have available to date are ablative materials. These materials "shed" particles of themselves as heat(kinetic energy) is applied.

It looks like starlite while able to withstand more extreme temperatures, also ablates at relatively normal temperatures. From my quick research, this looks like, this is responsible for its longevity issues.

EDIT: relatively normal temperature meaning a blowtorch vs. a rocket nozzle or re-entry heatshield

Re: Starlite

#8
post #5

http://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-557... > Mr Ward came to my lab about a year before his death needing help to turn what was essentially a party trick into a useable & commercialy viable product. The problem he had was although the powder component did exactly as it said on the tin, he had found no way of applying a lasting coating. All he really has was some powder mixed with PVA glue, the pr…

> Mr Ward came to my lab about a year before his death > needing help to turn what was essentially a party trick > into a useable & commercialy viable product.

So, this person heard a huge, "Whooosh" when Graphene hit the scene too, eh? "It's just Scotch Tape and pencil doodles!"

I definitely Want To Believe. World-Changing technology always has its detractors. Remember the airplane? Silly, silly invention.

Post reply on HN