Super Strong Metal Foam Discovered

MikeChino writes to tell us that a North Carolina State University researcher has discovered what appears to be the strongest metal foam yet, capable of compressing up to 80% of its original size under load and still retain the original shape. The hope is that this amazing material could be used in cars, body armor, or even buildings to absorb the shock from earthquakes. "Metal foam is exactly what you might think – a cellular structure made from metal with tiny pockets of space inside. What makes Rabiei’s metal foam better than others is that she’s been able to make the tiny pockets of space more uniform. And that apparently is what gives it the strength as well as elasticity it needs in order to compress as much as it does without deformation. Many tests are being performed in the laboratory to determine its strength, but so far Rabiei says that the spongy material has 'a much higher strength-to-density ratio than any metal foam that has ever been reported.' Calculations also predict that in car accidents, when two pieces of her composite metal foam are inserted 'behind the bumper of a car traveling at 28 mph, the impact would feel the same to passengers as an impact traveling at only 5 mph.'"

Comments

Bullshit

[Karganeth]

"behind the bumper of a car traveling at 28 mph, the impact would feel the same to passengers as an impact traveling at only 5 mph."
That is complete bullshit. Metal Foam might have some cool properties but it isn't fucking magic. It's not possible for it to reduce the impact that much - the bumper just isn't big enough.

Re:Geroge Carlin

[MokuMokuRyoushi]

Don't get boxed in, dingbat. Avoiding accidents is about preventing the situation, not super-human maneuvering.
Though the maneuvering helps a lot.
-MokuMoku

Re:Geroge Carlin

[mollog]

Don't you hate it when you post something really stupid on slashdot and you can't unpost it?

Right back at 'cha.

How is it that some people just don't get into accidents? Ever. Not having accidents, including the ones that aren't your fault, happens all the time. No pun intended, but it's no accident that certain people don't have accidents.

You and all the other slow-witted types can posit all sorts of scenarios where you were in an accident that "wasn't your fault". That's fine. Knock yourself out. No, I don't have precognitive powers. Here are some of the things that I do;

I don't drive on New Year's eve/night, on Superbowl Sunday, or on any other holiday where there's going to be drinking. I avoid rush hour when I can. I minimize and combine trips. I live near my job. I sometimes walk to work. If I had good public transportation where I lived, I'd use it.

And when I do drive, I apply lessons that were taught to me when I was trained as a bus driver in the City of Seattle. Look for traffic that isn't going to stop in an intersection. Wait a beat before starting up when the light turns green. Don't tailgate. Watch the mirrors. Don't get in a hurry. Lots more.

Did I ever get hit while driving a bus? Yes. Sideswiped once, and rear-ended once. The rear-ender was a drunk driver. I'll never know what happened in the side-swipe, but the road was narrow and winding, so there's mitigating circumstances. Considering how many miles I drove while a bus driver, my record was pretty good.

You can claim that accident's 'aren't your fault' all you want. You can also try avoiding dangerous situations. Or if you accept that you are willing to risk an accident to drive on a certain road, at a certain time of day, on a certain day, you have put yourself into a situation where accidents will happen. You then share responsibility for the accident when it happens.

Here's a recent example of how I avoid an accident; driving through an area of 'open range' where cattle roam at night. I slowed down well below the speed limit to see the cows in time, and when it became clear that there were too many cattle roaming the roads, I stopped for the night. You pays your money and you makes your choice.

Re:only retarded if you don't know history

[drinkypoo]

If you don't believe me about the fuel consumption, just ask the next person you see refueling pretty much any motorcycle at a gas station.

I have a significant number of friends in the Santa Cruz Vampires Motorcycle and Scooter Club, and right now the rider of a FZR600 is house-sitting for me. I know you're full of shit. Thank you, please drive through.