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Liquid Pads

MttyTee

MttyTee

Monkey
Jun 20, 2007
209
0
Back on the east coast!
Appearantly this stuff is a gel of some sort and within milliseconds of impact turns solid, then turns right back into gel after the impact. Maybe we'll see some DH pads eventually. I know my skinny legs could use something that was form fitting and didn't slide around. Plus the idea of how lightweight and flexible it could be designed, it might be cool again to wear pads.

http://www.d3o.com/

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/nextfest07/video-of-a-blonde-being-smashed-by-a-shovel-while-thankfully-wearing-d3o-body-armor-300134.php?autoplay=true
 
jcook90

jcook90

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2006
1,211
1
Connecticut
did anyone else ever make a similar substance when they were younger using i believe starch and some other cooking supplies?

You could make cool pads out of that, just cover the goo in like heavy nylon or kevlar.
 
binary visions

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,098
1,144
NC
^ Yeah, non-Newtonian fluids. Cornstarch and water.

Definitely cool stuff, been out for a while IIRC. There are a couple problems with it for bike applications. One problem is making it breathable - obviously air can't pass through the liquid. Also, there is no crush room, so unlike pads, the full impact gets transferred directly to whatever is underneath the liquid. Great for, say, stopping a bullet where the option is death and massive bruising etc. is an acceptable alternative. Not so great when that rock still breaks your shoulder.

Would make awesome shin pads/arm pads/gloves, though, since you mostly just want scratch/cut resistance.
 
jcook90

jcook90

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2006
1,211
1
Connecticut
well, would it be possible to use this to replace the hard plastic parts of current bodyarmor? Like, still use the soft foam underneath for absorbing the shock, and just have this stuff to make it more flexible but still rigid?
 
DHS

DHS

Friendly Neighborhood Pool Boy
Apr 23, 2002
5,094
0
Sand, CA
talk to sunnyracegirl, she's prototyping the stuff. i've held it in person, and i have see her fall with it. also have punched her.
does the job very well.
 
Damo

Damo

Short One Marshmallow
Sep 7, 2006
4,603
27
French Alps
I had to go and make some in the kitchen to demonstrate to my GF what we made as kids. We used to roll it into a ball and throw it to/at someone. It returns to a liquid state in mid-air. Hilarity.
 
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