SOLDIERS are to begin trialling a futuristic “liquid armour” that is worn like ordinary clothing but turns into a rigid shield as soon as it is hit by bullets or shrapnel.
The armour consists of material impregnated with liquid silica that has been modified using nanotechnology. It is designed as a flexible alternative to the current military armour, which consists of Kevlar material reinforced by heavyweight ceramic plates.
The American army hopes to use the liquid armour — which has been likened to the skin of cyborgs in films such as Terminator and RoboCop — in a new combat outfit that will enter service in 2010. British troops are also examining the concepts behind the armour, the technical name of which is shear thickening fluid (STF).
Anyone who’s had to ever wear body armor will certainly be looking forward to this, once perfected.
Iv seen this stuff demonstrated, its cool.
You don’t really need high-tech materials for the armour. Remember Stretch Armstrong? If you punched him, you would hurt your hand. But, if you slowly and patiently pulled on him, you could dismember him. What you need for that armour is red corn syrup.
Remember Paul, the slow blade penetrates the shield.
…Dune?…
Yes, Dune.
The 1st mention of this type of armour that I ever saw was in the Ringworld novel by Larry Niven. Pretty fast turn around time. Writers (artists) come up with the ideas and science follows.
Its always been that way…
Ringworld – copyright 1970
Not that fast – but getting faster all the time.
Why not embed piezoelectric panels in as well and generate power from the flexing of the armor while in “soft” condition (from the soldiers movements) to charge weapons systems? Piezo devices also absorb energy, (it is used ifor vibration dampening and strength reinforcement in bats, racquets, and skis), so you may even be able to “tune” the armor for attributes such as viscosity for various threats (shrapnel vs, bullet vs. blade).
10,
and if you had a device to find energy emitting devices….??
You could track every soldier in the field. On our side at least.