Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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."

17 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.
  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!

  3. 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 Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    2. Re:How elastic? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      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?

    3. 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.

    4. Re:How elastic? by XiaoMing · · Score: 5, Informative

      I think "bulletproof t-shirts" is just a bit of verbal hyperbole from the reporter, albeit fitting in regards to the process that led to the creation of this material.

      The main breakthrough of the process is that the third strongest material in the world, which was previously only accessible in a ceramic (read: brittle and crystalline) form can now be formed around templates of carbon fibers (the aforementioned, t-shirts baked to perfection).

      In other articles, the main emphasis is definitely on this new stronger material being an improvement on current ballistic fibers such as Kevlar.

      Popsci article:
      http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-04/armored-t-shirts-contain-boron-carbide-nanowires?cpage=1

    5. Re:How elastic? by mister_playboy · · Score: 5, Interesting

      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.

      Sounds similar to the way a cornflour and water mixture works.

      --
      Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law ::: Love is the law, love under will
    6. 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...

    7. 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.
    8. Re:How elastic? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 4, Informative

      The force applied to the target by a bullet is less than or equal to the force applied to the hand or shoulder of the shooter. If it didn't knock the shooter over, it probably won't knock you over, if the force is spread over a larger area. Newton's laws still apply...

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    9. Re:How elastic? by budgenator · · Score: 4, Informative

      The dE/dT applies quite strongly here, the dE/dT is much lower for the shooter because the dT is longer as the projectile is accelerated through the barrel, at the other end the bullet either is stopped with a very short dT or it penetrates. The material in the article would be very useful in a layered approach; such as worn as a tee shirt with more conventional body armor providing the majority of protection.

      --
      Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
  4. 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)
  5. Nobody doesn't like... by glwtta · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... Molten Boron!

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi
  6. Re:Don't Tase me bro... by PhunkySchtuff · · Score: 5, Informative

    If it stops a 9mm shell, it'll stop the little barbed prongs that a taser shoots. But they might catch in the clothing anyway, so you might still get shocked. Unless this stuff is conductive enough to short it out, or insulating enough to protect you.

    No, it doesn't work that way. A "bulletproof" vest is relatively easy to get through with a sharp blade - most bullet resistant materials will use lots of strong fibres to tangle the bullet up in on it's way through, whereas a sharp knife (or a pointed barb that's not spinning) will penetrate relatively easily.

    --
    Specialist Mac support for creative pros, Melbourne
  7. 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.