In the March issue of the Journal of the Minerals, Kenneth S. Vecchio of University of San Diego, California has described a new metallic laminate (composed of layers of one of more kind of metals) which has certain unique properties. The metal is made of alternating layers of Aluminum and Titanium alloy foils, compressed and heated in an inexpensive energy-conserving process. It can serve as armor, and also as a replacement for beryllium, a strong but toxic metal commonly used in demanding aerospace applications.
Good results with ballistics tests (Courtesy: University of San Diego)
Interestingly, the laminate architecture was chosen to mimic the internal structure of the tough shell of the red abalone! This is another example of science getting inspired by what is already available in Nature. Researchers are currently studying structural and functional designs of everything from mollusk shells and bird bills to sea urchin spines and other biocomposites in the development of new smart materials and devices.
According to Professor Vechhio, it might be possible to include electrical pathways within the laminate, and thus create piezoelectric sensors within the metal. This will be immensely useful, for example in case of a body armor, as the sensors can provide real-time data about the status of the soldier and the armor to the commanders in the field. These materials can also deform when electricity is applied, and this might have applications in robotics to create artificial muscles :).
Good results with ballistics tests (Courtesy: University of San Diego)
Interestingly, the laminate architecture was chosen to mimic the internal structure of the tough shell of the red abalone! This is another example of science getting inspired by what is already available in Nature. Researchers are currently studying structural and functional designs of everything from mollusk shells and bird bills to sea urchin spines and other biocomposites in the development of new smart materials and devices.
According to Professor Vechhio, it might be possible to include electrical pathways within the laminate, and thus create piezoelectric sensors within the metal. This will be immensely useful, for example in case of a body armor, as the sensors can provide real-time data about the status of the soldier and the armor to the commanders in the field. These materials can also deform when electricity is applied, and this might have applications in robotics to create artificial muscles :).
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Also, taking the process one step further, they used a assembly technique that also mimicked the spiders web to produce a material that could also be used for light-weight body armour.
Much lighter than this new metal alloy and much more viable for strenuous activities without restricting movement.
The material had the funky property of becoming rigid when hit at high velocities (melee and ranged weapons) but remaining pliable and supple while being worn.
Also machine washable!
Beat that! ;-p
They pioneered innovative techniques for creating thinner, lighter by tougher armour, most of which are still used today.
Sray, how do you think these guys came about with this new metal you mention?
Would they have started out with a goal in mind, or would they have just thought: "Hey! Let's mess around and make a weird metal alloy?"
Implications are huge. With no moving parts, there is little wear and tear. Also, if some part of the metal is broken/removed, the rest keeps working (graceful degradation).
Creative thought, thats the key!
"Sray, how do you think these guys came about with this new metal you mention?"
As I mentioned in the post, the basic inspiration was the red abalone. Al-Ti complexes have been known for quite a while. The innovation in this case was to use a 'layered structure', similar to red abalone's structure.
Learning from Nature, that's the key too :-).
Compared with nickel-based alloys, aluminides have superior high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and lower density, which can result in significant end use benefits such as smaller part cross sections and lighter weight components for aircraft and automotive applications.
So there :-).
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