British-Designed ‘Bulletproof Custard’ Liquid Armor Is Better than a Kevlar Vest

[madokie]

Liquid armor has been shown to stop bullets more effectively than plain Kevlar, according to British firm BAE Systems. The material could be used to make thinner, lighter armor for military personnel and police officers, the BBC reports.

Materials scientists combined a shear-thickening liquid with traditional Kevlar to make a bulletproof material that absorbs the force of a bullet strike by becoming thicker and stickier.

Its molecules lock together more tightly when it is struck, the scientists explained -- they described it as "bulletproof custard," the BBC reports.

Shear-thickening liquids are composed of hard nanoparticles suspended in a liquid, which turns rigid after being struck with a bullet or shrapnel. BAE says their tests provide the first clear evidence that it can actually protect people.



More: http://www.popsci.com/node/46911/?cmpid=enews071510

[jdp349]

1. I imagine in the coming years

bulletproof armor will become more and more a reality due to nanotechnology which of course will probably eventually lead to some big changes in firearms as traditional firepower becomes less and less effective.

interesting.

[csziggy]

2. That sounds like great protective gear for sports, too

A product that stays flexible until it gets a hard shock would be perfect to protect athletes.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. A Karatand

...a Karatand... It was in effect a palmless glove made of impact-sensitive plastic about a quarter-inch thick. Pressed, pinched, drawn on or off the hand, it remained flexible and nearly as soft as good leather. Struck against a resistant surface, its behavior changed magically, and while the interior stayed soft to act as a cushion against bruising, its outer layers became as rigid as metal.

He thrust his fingers into it and spun around, slamming his fist at the wall. There was a solid thud, and the muscles of his upper arm and shoulder complained, but the Karatand reacted as designed. It was several seconds before he could straighten his fingers against the resistance of the relaxing plastic.

--Stand On Zanzibar by John Brunner--

[foxfeet]

4. Finally, a use for treacle!

[backscatter712]

5. Like the body armor from Snow Crash...

"His uniform is black as activated charcoal, filtering the very light out of the air. A bullet will bounce off its arachnofiber weave like a wren hitting a patio door, an excess of perspiration wafts through it like a napalmed forest. Where his body has bony extremities, the suit has sintered armorgel; feels like gritty jello, protects like a stack of telephone books."

[Fumesucker]

6. That's exactly what I thought..

The Deliverator has some cool equipment..