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Scientists Turn T-Shirts Into Body Armor

Posted by timothy on from the will-stick-with-the-regular-kind-for-now dept.

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."

3 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. How elastic? by chill · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It isn't going to help much if the bullet has enough force to make the t-shirt penetrate you. If we're talking a 2-inch stretch, then it'll make things less messy, but no less lethal.

    --
    Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
    1. Re:How elastic? by magarity · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That's exactly why bulletproof vests have metal plates in them; to help spread the energy. And ribs still get broken. That's why the hope is to make lightweight vehicles, not better bulletproof-wear.

    2. Re:How elastic? by JWSmythe · · Score: 5, Insightful

          Nah, it would only increase the use of force. "The tazer didn't work, so we shot him in the head."

          Bullet proof vests are only good if the bullet his your chest. It doesn't help in other areas.

          In reality, "bullet proof" materials are only good at spreading the energy out. They're worthless against more focused forces. It may stop a 9mm (blunt tip), but it won't stop a .223 (sharp tip), and probably won't do much against the electrodes of a tazer, or a knife. That's why they make rifle plating to go into kevlar vests. They're heavy, but they'll help protect against more serious rounds. With serious rounds (like a .50 BMG), you can't carry enough armor to help you, and even if you did, it can only displace the energy so far. If it was able to prevent the round from piercing the armor, you'd simply be crushed by the force.

          Best advice for not getting killed by bullets? Don't get yourself on the wrong end of a firearm. I've managed to be safe wearing regular t-shirts as protection for over 30 years, because I've never put myself in the way of a weapon. :)

      --
      Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.