SCIENTISTS TURN T-SHIRTS INTO BODY ARMOR.
IT'S TRUE!!!
QUOTES:
Researchers at the University of South Carolina, collaborating with others from China and Switzerland, drastically increased the toughness of a T-shirt by combining the carbon in the shirt’s cotton with boron – the third hardest material on earth. The result is a lightweight shirt reinforced with boron carbide, the same material used to protect tanks.
The scientists started with plain, white T-shirts that were cut into thin strips and dipped into a boron solution. The strips were later removed from the solution and heated in an oven. The heat changes the cotton fibers into carbon fibers, which react with the boron solution and produce boron carbide.
The result is a fabric that’s lightweight but tougher and stiffer than the original T-shirt, yet flexible enough that it can be bent, said Li, who led the group from USC. That flexibility is an improvement over the heavy boron-carbide plates used in bulletproof vests and body armor.
Something’s bound to go wrong with it. Tanks can’t protect you from anti-tank missiles, after all.
If someone gave me that as a present, I would carry it in rough areas of our cities… not wear it because head shots have been happening in carjacking incidents and if a thug knows his anatomy, a shotgun shot placed in the top part of your inner thigh opens the femoral artery and you will bleed out til death. Carrying that T shirt, you at least can try to put it over the gun barrel and wrestle etc from there on.
In fact they should use this material to have it shootable from a gun aimed at the gun of the criminal in those states which do not allow citizens to carry pistols. If it could parachute onto the gun barrel with its outer edge having some kind of adherent, that would help and at least allow the carjack victim time to drive away.
The important question is; can it be printed like an ordinary t-shirt?
If printing requires some special process, it might be best to come out with the essential designs first: Dark Side of the Moon, Ren & Stimpy, etc…
Mithril…
Greg….that was the first thing I thought of as well……Mithril…..
“Also there is this!” said Bilbo, bringing out a parcel which seemed to be rather heavy for its size. He unwound several folds of old cloth, and held up a small shirt of mail. It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as ice, and harder than steel. It shone like moonlit silver, and was studded with white gems.
“if a thug knows his anatomy, a shotgun shot placed in the top part of your inner thigh opens the femoral artery and you will bleed out til death.”
He knows now. Regardless, I doubt a thief is going to pause long enough to locate the femoral artery-blasting your head off is much easier for an idiot.
David B.,
In respect to “He knows now”, I’m morally certain that no carjackers read Jimmy Akin. But you are correct about head shots. As Jimmy probably is aware, recently in northeast NJ a young and educated and hard working engaged black couple returned home from their engagement party but to their home on a rough block in Jersey City and two girls and a male shot both of them in the head when they delayed getting out of the car and then they shot them repeatedly after that and still couldn’t steal the car which had a theft prevention device. Local police with State police and others worked overtime and caught all three in about a week and the hundreds that were at the funeral gave the capture news a standing ovation when it was announced at the funeral.
“I gave the straight thrust and then, all in one motion, wheeled my sword round and cut him deeply in the inner leg where no surgery will stop the bleeding.”
I really agree to what Bill have said..
“The result is a fabric that’s lightweight but tougher and stiffer than the original T-shirt”. That’s not saying it can stop a bullet or a BB. It’s just saying it’s tougher than the original T-shirt.
Cephas- I like you screen name. I was considering using that as my Confirmation name, but I opted for the more modern version “Peter”.
God bless!
Regarding the “head shot” problem, isn’t that the reason why Batman has the large easily targetable symbol on his chest, where the armor is?
While I love the concept of the super armored vehicles (Keith Laumer’s Bolos) and the personal powered armor from Robert A. Heinlein’s book Starship Troopers (not the movies!), armor is probably over rated. Stealth and camouflage are a better tactics. More time should be spent on Optical Camouflage that allows a type of “blending in” or invisibility. Jimmy has written about that technology too in the past. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEm4EY4IWTI&NR=1 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKPVQal851U
Even if it’s only as tough as, say, a leather welding jacket– that’s a big improvement over plates. An inch of T-shirt beats the heck out of an inch of ceramic plates!
bill bannon,
I’m morally certain that no carjackers read Jimmy Akin.
Me, too. I was only kidding you. ;-D
JFK-
Stealth and camo aren’t always options. For example, a police officer or a guard at a checkpoint must be clearly visible.
But stealth and camo are good tools to have for when you can use them.
Greg Williams,
True. I was thinking from a military point of view. Best not be hit than trying to survive the hit.
Regarding use by military, police or guards at a checkpoint, there are a couple of things to consider. What is the purpose of the item? It should make the officer safer. There are two ways it could. Actual protection is the first and second is psychological. If armor can be lightweight but also provide a certain bulk and give a look of strength, it could have a positive effect of intimating possible aggressors into non action. The Roman Empire’s greatest “weapon” for many centuries was it’s alleged invincibility. Have you seen any Dodge Charger police cars? Very cool, very aggressive looking. They imply “don’t mess with me.”
Of course police uniforms for everyday use that are intimating are probably not wanted nor would they be necessary.
One thing I don’t get – an average citizen can buy a gun and bullets, but last I checked only peace officers could buy bullet proof vests (perhaps that has changed). That makes no sense to me.
“I gave the straight thrust and then, all in one motion, wheeled my sword round and cut him deeply in the inner leg where no surgery will stop the bleeding.”
Till We Have Faces?
“Till We Have Faces?”
Yep. Great stuff.
” ‘Till We Have Faces?’
Yep. Great stuff.”
Yes, indeedy. Been a while since I read it, but I didn’t hafta use Google or nuffin’.
Elemental boron and some boron compounds are somewhat toxic, no? But boron carbide is not? The choice is between a quick, penetrating wound and a slow poisoning?
Elemental boron and some boron compounds are somewhat toxic, no? But boron carbide is not? The choice is between a quick, penetrating wound and a slow poisoning?
Boron Carbide is an known irritant, but there’s no available info as to what its carcinogenic properties might be.
The University of South Carolina–who knew they were up to such things at my old alma mater? Go ‘Cocks!
I also claim membership in the Google-Free Till We Have Faces Quotation Recogition Even Though It’s Been Awhile Club.