| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Sam Wormley" |
| Date: |
01 Nov 2007 10:56:14 PM |
| Object: |
Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
Bullets bounce off nanotubes
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31683;jsessionid=FDB94B95875FAF6F86E8A55CC3223316
Robocops could soon leave the realm of science fiction thanks to a
new bullet-proof material proposed by engineers in Australia.
According to computer simulations done by the team, bullets would be
no match for vests made of the material, and would simply bounce off
owing to the high elasticity of the nanotubes. The researchers claim
that the material, which has not been made yet, would be a great
improvement on existing anti-ballistic clothing that stop bullets
from penetrating by spreading the bullet's force -- something that
can still cause serious injury (Nanotechnology 18 475701 ).
Carbon nanotubes are strong, lightweight and thanks to their high
elasticity are able to absorb huge amounts of kinetic energy. By
modelling the impact behaviour of these nanomaterials, Kausala
Mylvaganam and Liangchi Zhang of the University of Sydney have shown
that nanotubes can withstand fast moving bullets by rebounding their
force. The simulations also suggest that nanotubes are resistant to
damage by repeated ballistic impacts, which is crucial if they are to
be used in body armour.
The Australia engineers obtained their results by modelling the
behaviour of single-walled carbon nanotubes fixed at both ends that
were impacted with tiny "bullets" made of diamond. The bullets had
speeds of between 1000 and 3500 m/s and were fired perpendicular to
the nanotube axis. The researchers investigated the relationship
between the nanotube's radius, the position where the bullet strikes,
its speed and the energy absorbed by the nanotube.
Mylvaganam and Zhang found that the nanotubes were resistant to
bullet speeds of over 2000 m/s, even after multiple impacts. (For
comparison, the speed of rifle bullets can reach 1500 m/s and most
gun bullets have speeds of less than 1000 m/s). The centre of a
nanotube appeared to be the most resilient.
The duo says that bullet-proof vests could be made by using "nanotube
yarn". Here, the carbon nanotubes would be spun into fibres, probably
using a technique called electrospinning. The researchers have
calculated that body armour just 600 microns thick made from six
layers of 100 micron yarns could bounce off a bullet with a muzzle
energy of 320 Joules -- which is typical of a light firearm.
Such vests would be better than existing anti-ballistic clothing,
which is usually made of multiple layers of Kevlar, Twaron and
Dyneema fibres. Although they stop bullets from penetrating, they do
this by dissipating force over an area larger than the bullet, which
can still cause injuries known as blunt force trauma. These range
from severe bruising to critical organ damage. The high level of
elastic storage energy of carbon nanotubes means that such trauma
could be avoided.
Although this research is theoretical, previous work by many groups
around the world has shown that nanotubes can be effectively spun
into yarns. So the next step would be for someone to actually make a
prototype vest.
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| User: "CWatters" |
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| Title: Re: Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
02 Nov 2007 06:58:14 AM |
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"Sam Wormley" <swormley1@mchsi.com> wrote in message
news:ydxWi.181900$Fc.146488@attbi_s21...
Bullets bounce off nanotubes
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31683;jsessionid=FDB94B95875FAF6F86E8A55CC3223316
Robocops could soon leave the realm of science fiction thanks to a
new bullet-proof material proposed by engineers in Australia.
According to computer simulations done by the team, bullets would be
no match for vests made of the material, and would simply bounce off
owing to the high elasticity of the nanotubes. The researchers claim
that the material, which has not been made yet, would be a great
improvement on existing anti-ballistic clothing that stop bullets
from penetrating by spreading the bullet's force -- something that
can still cause serious injury (Nanotechnology 18 475701 ).
Carbon nanotubes are strong, lightweight and thanks to their high
elasticity are able to absorb huge amounts of kinetic energy.
Wouldn't the vest still have to spread the force even if it does bounce off?
If it's very elastic wouldn't it deform a lot under impact? Wouldn't that
mean the bullet proof layer had to be "stood off" the body some distance
making the vest very thick?
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
02 Nov 2007 10:55:01 AM |
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CWatters <colin.watters@turnersoak.plus.com> wrote:
"Sam Wormley" <swormley1@mchsi.com> wrote in message
news:ydxWi.181900$Fc.146488@attbi_s21...
Bullets bounce off nanotubes
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31683;jsessionid=FDB94B95875FAF6F86E8A55CC3223316
Robocops could soon leave the realm of science fiction thanks to a
new bullet-proof material proposed by engineers in Australia.
According to computer simulations done by the team, bullets would be
no match for vests made of the material, and would simply bounce off
owing to the high elasticity of the nanotubes. The researchers claim
that the material, which has not been made yet, would be a great
improvement on existing anti-ballistic clothing that stop bullets
from penetrating by spreading the bullet's force -- something that
can still cause serious injury (Nanotechnology 18 475701 ).
Carbon nanotubes are strong, lightweight and thanks to their high
elasticity are able to absorb huge amounts of kinetic energy.
Wouldn't the vest still have to spread the force even if it does bounce off?
Not if it doesn't transmit any energy to the wearer.
If it's very elastic wouldn't it deform a lot under impact? Wouldn't that
mean the bullet proof layer had to be "stood off" the body some distance
making the vest very thick?
There's the rub; by being elastic, you are guaranteeing energy transfer
to the wearer, with most of it being at the point of impact, unless
the elastic layer is well separted from the body.
To me, the whole thing sounds like yet another pie-in-the-sky wet
dream by lab rats with zero real world data.
--
Jim Pennino
Remove .spam.sux to reply.
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| User: "CWatters" |
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| Title: Re: Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
03 Nov 2007 01:33:30 PM |
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<jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com> wrote in message
news:2ctrv4-s3s.ln1@mail.specsol.com...
To me, the whole thing sounds like yet another pie-in-the-sky wet
dream by lab rats with zero real world data.
--
Jim Pennino
Just what I was thinking.
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| User: "Benj" |
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| Title: Re: Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
02 Nov 2007 01:32:26 AM |
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Sam Wormley wrote:
Bullets bounce off nanotubes
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31683;jsessionid=FDB94B95875FAF6F86E8A55CC3223316
Robocops could soon leave the realm of science fiction thanks to a
new bullet-proof material proposed by engineers in Australia.
According to computer simulations done by the team, bullets would be
no match for vests made of the material, and would simply bounce off
owing to the high elasticity of the nanotubes. The researchers claim
that the material, which has not been made yet, would be a great
improvement on existing anti-ballistic clothing that stop bullets
from penetrating by spreading the bullet's force -- something that
can still cause serious injury (Nanotechnology 18 475701 ).
Hey, great invention! The bullets the bad guys shoot at cops comes
right back off his vest and shoot the bad guys!!!
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| User: "Tenifer" |
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| Title: Re: Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
02 Nov 2007 05:13:59 AM |
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On Nov 2, 2:32 pm, Benj <bjac...@iwaynet.net> wrote:
Sam Wormley wrote:
Bullets bounce off nanotubes
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31683;jsessionid=FDB94B95875...
Robocops could soon leave the realm of science fiction thanks to a
new bullet-proof material proposed by engineers in Australia.
According to computer simulations done by the team, bullets would be
no match for vests made of the material, and would simply bounce off
owing to the high elasticity of the nanotubes. The researchers claim
that the material, which has not been made yet, would be a great
improvement on existing anti-ballistic clothing that stop bullets
from penetrating by spreading the bullet's force -- something that
can still cause serious injury (Nanotechnology 18 475701 ).
Hey, great invention! The bullets the bad guys shoot at cops comes
right back off his vest and shoot the bad guys!!!
How come I haven't heard of school shooter wearing bulletproof
vests and headgear that kills hundreds of students and police.
Maybe these nanotubes if made lightweight like shirt can create
this scenerio in the future? But it doesn't require licence to
buy bulletproof vests, how come public places shooters don't
wear this?
Teni
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Bullets bounce off nanotubes |
02 Nov 2007 10:55:02 AM |
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Tenifer <tensorsurfer@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Nov 2, 2:32 pm, Benj <bjac...@iwaynet.net> wrote:
Sam Wormley wrote:
Bullets bounce off nanotubes
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31683;jsessionid=FDB94B95875...
Robocops could soon leave the realm of science fiction thanks to a
new bullet-proof material proposed by engineers in Australia.
According to computer simulations done by the team, bullets would be
no match for vests made of the material, and would simply bounce off
owing to the high elasticity of the nanotubes. The researchers claim
that the material, which has not been made yet, would be a great
improvement on existing anti-ballistic clothing that stop bullets
from penetrating by spreading the bullet's force -- something that
can still cause serious injury (Nanotechnology 18 475701 ).
Hey, great invention! The bullets the bad guys shoot at cops comes
right back off his vest and shoot the bad guys!!!
How come I haven't heard of school shooter wearing bulletproof
vests and headgear that kills hundreds of students and police.
Maybe these nanotubes if made lightweight like shirt can create
this scenerio in the future? But it doesn't require licence to
buy bulletproof vests, how come public places shooters don't
wear this?
Probably because you weren't paying attention.
There have been numerous instances of the "bad guys" wearing personal
armour.
And in many places the sale of personal armour is restricted, but
there will always be a black market.
--
Jim Pennino
Remove .spam.sux to reply.
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