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Docter
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 21 Oct 2002
Posts: 3420
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 Posted: 10/20/05 - 00:01 Post subject: Transparent Aluminum is here! (Where's Scottie?)
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http://www.livescience.com/technology/051018_new_glass.html
| Quote: | Military: New Aluminum Windows Stop .50-Caliber Bullet
By LiveScience Staff
posted: 18 October 2005
05:01 pm ET
A new type of transparent armor made of aluminum could one day replace glass in military vehicles.
The product is called aluminum oxynitride. It is being tested by the Army and the University of Dayton Research Institute in Ohio.
The material is a ceramic compound with a high compressive strength and durability, according to an Army statement issued this week. It performs better than the multilayered glass products currently in use, and its about half the weight. It is virtually scratch-resistant.
"The substance itself is light-years ahead of glass," said 1st Lt. Joseph La Monica, who heads the research.
Glass is still used in the new process, being sandwhiched between an outer layer of the polished aluminum oxynitride and a polymer backing.
.50-caliber test
In a test this summer, the product held up to a .50-caliber sniper's rifle with amor-piercing bullets. Traditional glass armor did not survive the test.
Officials hope the product will prove even more useful when considering more severe threats, such as explosives.
"The higher the threat, the more savings you're going to get," La Monica said. "With glass, to get the protection against higher threats, you have to keep building layers upon layers. But with [the new product], the material only needs to be increased a few millimeters."
"Achieving protection at lighter weights will allow the armor to be more easily integrated into vehicles," said Ron Hoffman, a researcher at University of Dayton Research Institute.
Cost vs. Durability
Time, blowing sand and other environmental factors degrade glass surfaces. The aluminum material is expected to retain its clarity for much longer.
"It all comes down to survivability and being able to see what's out there and to make decisions while having the added protection," Hoffman said.
The military is considering installing the aluminum windows on Humvees and low-flying, slower aircraft like the the C-130 Hercules.
The holdup for now is price.
Traditional transparent armor costs less than $4 per square inch. The aluminum oxynitride is now at least $10 per square inch. That price would come down with mass production. And the material's longevity would make it cost less than the initial price tag would indicate.
"It might cost more in the beginning, but it is going to cost less in the long run because you are going to have to replace it less," La Monica said. |
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motherface
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 12 Mar 2003
Posts: 3407
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Posted: 10/20/05 - 00:06 Post subject:
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Interesting... University of Dayton... Daystrom Institute...
| Quote: | Daystrom Institute
Major center for science and technology in the 24th century.
Named for 23rd century computer scientist Richard Daystrom.
In 2365, Commander Bruce Maddox served as Chair of Robotics at the Daystrom Institute, and also worked with the Cybernetics Division.
The Measure of a Man [TNG]
Data's Day [TNG]
Enterprise-D designer Dr. Leah Brahms was a graduate of the Daystrom Institute.
Booby Trap [TNG]
Archaeologist Vash, who continued Dr. Samuel Estragon's work to locate the fabled Tox Uthat after his death in 2366, promised Estragon that she would present the Uthat to the Daystrom Institute if she did find it.
Captain's Holiday [TNG]
In 2369, Vash was invited to speak at the Daystrom Institute concerning her travels in the Gamma Quadrant. This came as quite a surprise, since her membership to the Institute's Archaeological Council had been suspended twice for illegally selling artifacts.
Vash declined the offer so that she could continue exploring archaeological ruins throughout the galaxy.
Q-Less [DS9]
An annex of the Daystrom Institute was located on planet Galor IV.
notes The Daystrom Institute was, of course, a tip of the hat to The Ultimate Computer [TOS].
The Offspring [TNG] |
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