Star Trek IV - Transparent Aluminum

[VulcanRider]

Air Force testing new transparent armor

Engineers here are testing a new kind of transparent armor -- stronger and lighter than traditional materials -- that could stop armor-piercing weapons from penetrating vehicle windows. The Air Force Research Laboratory's materials and manufacturing directorate is testing aluminum oxynitride -- ALONtm -- as a replacement for the traditional multi-layered glass transparencies now used in existing ground and air armored vehicles. The test is being done in conjunction with the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and University of Dayton Research Institute, Ohio. ALONtm is a ceramic compound with a high compressive strength and durability. When polished, it is the premier transparent armor for use in armored vehicles, said. 1st Lt. Joseph La Monica, transparent armor sub-direction lead "The substance itself is light years ahead of glass," he said, adding that it offers "higher performance and lighter weight."

They say it's expensive right now, but living in Florida (aka Hurricane Central) I can see enough non-military demand just in stormproofing houses to make the price drop.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

It will be very cool to see, once they're at that point.

[Ilander]

Mmmm....transparisteel...

[Ilander]

So, let's all drool over the uses for this kind of material...if it was made much cheaper than current prices...since right now it's around $10 to $15 per square inch...

You could make the entire top part of your car transparent! No obnoxious posts that obstruct your vision, you would have virtually no blind spots!

You could build stealthy airplanes partially with it, like the Predator Drone.

You could make advanced labs like the CDC maintains even more secure, and thus safer.

[VulcanRider]

Originally Posted by Ilander You could make the entire top part of your car transparent! No obnoxious posts that obstruct your vision, you would have virtually no blind spots!

Shades of George Jetson! That would be cool, if they could also make it photosensitive to darken in sunlight. Otherwise, you'd be driving in a solar oven.

OTOH, with a car like that you could flip off other drivers & never worry about getting shot when they get road rage...

[Ilander]

Just curious, anyone here think that "Aluminium" is a superior form to "Aluminum"?