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Scientists Turn T-Shirts Into Body Armor

separsons writes "Scientists at the University of South Carolina recently transformed ordinary T-shirts into bulletproof armor. By splicing cotton with boron, the third hardest material on the planet, scientists created a shirt that was super elastic but also strong enough to deflect bullets. Xiaodong Li, lead researcher on the project, says the same tech may eventually be used to create lightweight, fuel-efficient cars and aircrafts."

19 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Unforeseen consequences by treeves · · Score: 4, Funny

    What happens if I'm wearing one of these tee-shirts when my nipples explode with delight?

    --
    ...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
    1. Re:Unforeseen consequences by munozdj · · Score: 2, Funny

      You will not buy that tee-shirt, it is scratched.

      --
      Democracy: Crowdsourcing a country near you
  2. +5 T-Shirt of Nerding by masmullin · · Score: 5, Funny

    Brings my AC to 15!

    1. Re:+5 T-Shirt of Nerding by bacon+volcano · · Score: 4, Funny

      And it's super-elastic, so no Dex penalty!

    2. Re:+5 T-Shirt of Nerding by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      yes, but this is balanced somewhat by an addition -5 to charisma.

  3. My parents visited University of South Carolina by PatPending · · Score: 5, Funny

    My parents visited the University of South Carolina and all I got was this stupid t-shirt.

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
  4. Re:How elastic? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Two inches of penetration... Sounds like a job for me!

  5. Nobody doesn't like... by glwtta · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... Molten Boron!

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi
  6. This shirt brought to you by... by CompressedAir · · Score: 2, Funny

    Molten Boron!

  7. Lead researcher by nacturation · · Score: 3, Funny

    Xiaodong Li, lead researcher on the project...

    They still make bullets out of lead?

    --
    Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  8. The second hardest known substance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is my wife's pot roast. If I can ever figure out how she converts an entire roast into carbon nanotubes we're gonna be rich!

  9. Mithril by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    They've invented mithril!

  10. Re:How elastic? by kehren77 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually the elasticity of these things change with the among of force applied. When you try to punch these things hard (just like a bullet does) they seem to rigid. But when you try to handle them with less force, like try to slowly pull or push them (just like when you try to wear them), they seem to be really elastic.

    So your question should be rephrased as how elastic it is, when a bullet strikes it? Is is strong enough to distribute the force of the bullet through out your torso and not cause a serious dent?

    Good... the slow blade penetrates the shield...

  11. Re:How elastic? by tomhudson · · Score: 2, Funny

    Next: Reactive Armour T-Shirt!!! I'll be RICH!!! (or dead).

  12. Re:Silk was used in a simlar way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Love the silk shirt, it looks faaaaablous hun! -- Atilla the Interior Decorator

  13. How Many Washes? by sanman2 · · Score: 2, Funny

    As with my stain-resistant dockers, I want to know how many washes will this effect last for

  14. shirt logo by binaryseraph · · Score: 4, Funny

    I REALLY hope the first shirt they make has the Superman logo on it. Not to be cliche or anything.

  15. Re:Silk was used in a simlar way by Fruny · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Huns wore silk to protect themselves in battle. There were no bullets back then, just arrows and blades. While the arrows could still penetrate the flesh, they often did not cut through the silk which made it easier to remove the arrows and stem the bleeding. BTW, like tee-shirts, silk is imprintable -- "We're on the run, we're lotta fun, we are the Huns!"

    Yes, that's actually true! They also wore silk scarves to prevent neck chops, because "there can be only Huns!"

  16. Re:How elastic? by AbRASiON · · Score: 3, Funny

    My girlfriend asked me to give her 3 inches and make it hurt, so I put it in 3 times then punched her in the back of the head :(