Liquid Armor

This amazing sheer thickening fluid is the secret of stab-proof clothing.

As many viewers have pointed out in the comment section, this is a non-newtonian fluid. It works very much like Oobleck, cornstarch in water. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Newt... for a long list of mixtures that have similar properties at various strength. In this military grade non-Newtonian fluid, cornstarch is replaced with silica, water is replaced with polyethylene glycol. Watch at time mark 4:43 closely and notice that the free hanging bottle did not drop. It means that the liquid reacts to force as low as Earth's gravity. He had to hold the bottle and free the rod with less force than gravity.

The video does not tell how to keep this solution in liquid form over time. It will probably lose its shielding property when the liquid dry out.

From an old episode of Science Channel's Cool Stuff TV show. Discovery Communications own the copyright of this clip from the Cool Stuff TV show. Show your support by subscribing to Discover Channel, Science Channel and TLC. They are my favorite channels and my reason to subscribe to cable TV.

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• Category

  Science & Technology

[cloudtailx]

So that's how the sword in the stone worked...

[cplai]

You are right. All the knights tried to pull it hard and couldn't get it out.

[cuzMEee]

however brilliant the invention is, they seem to miss one big fucking factor.

even though your clothing is coated with the stuff, if you would get shanked, the blade would just pierce your body along with the fabric.

[cplai]

What you worry about will be true only if the fabric is not held down. When the fabric wraps around the body, it forms a membrane stretched tight over the skin. Since this fabric harden on impact, the membrane instantly becomes a shell when hit.

[WoWkiddymage]

is this how corn starche and water work?

[cplai]

Yes, but at a different strength. Actually quick sand works the same way too.

[AllanRasco]

Actually, after reading descriptions about the "Sword In The Stone" I saw that it may not have been in a stone at all, but in an anvil. When I read that Authur had on a gaunlet when he pulled out the firey Excaliber, I immediatley knew it was not magic but science. Merlin must have taught the young Authur about metallurgy. Authur, I assume, built a bonfire upon the alter heating the anvil which broke the welded sword free. The gaunlet protected his hand to weild the glowing hot Excaliber!

[dflan87]

this is fun

[C0n7ax]

This fluid and weave some plastic in that kevlar vest and you are good to go. You could use hemp reinforced plastic that is 10 times stronger than steel. 1/4" or so plates woven over vital areas or even a scale armor like Dragon Skin and you could withstand all but the most determined shankings.

[armyguy5000]

but will it blend???



[nanocalp]

its the same with dragon skin. the government´s like mm no. we not going to give this awesome technology to our people on the ground. we have to spend millions on worthless policy that dosent benefit anyone, not actually beneficial things!

[Andy Law]

"thickened white water" sure...

[UKMonkey]

Unfortunately, while it stops the actual weapon penetrating, there's no reason why the stab wouldn't kill from the high pressure. Targeting the belly of a guard with this will still cause internal bleeding without issue. Using a large amount of padding would help, but it defeats the aim of keeping the guards unencumbered. Interesting none the less though, and obviously a big step in the right direction.

[MetricButtload]

what if you stab someone very slowly :)

[Xivlex]

Uploaded 2009? Its been 4 years. Is this thing implemented yet?

[TheJesterOAO]

neck, face, armpits...