Scientists have invented "modern chain mail" with the properties of Batman's cloak
Miscellaneous / / August 16, 2021
Reliable protection capable of changing shape and stiffness.
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore and California Institute of Technology have developed new versatile material with a chain mail structure. It is flexible like regular fabric, but can be hardened when needed.
This material is 3D printed from nylon plastic polymers and consists of hollow octahedrons (a polyhedron with eight equal triangular faces) that interlock with each other. When rolled into a plastic bag or vacuum sealed, the material becomes 25 times stiffer and can support 50 times its weight.
For an analogy of properties, scientists cite a cloak as an example. Batmanwhich in its normal state is flexible enough and incredibly strong, but it can be made rigid for use as a glider.
This development could form the basis of a completely new light armor that can quickly harden, protecting the wearer from impact. In addition, the material can be used to create protective equipment or exoskeletons that help people with musculoskeletal injuries to walk or carry the burden of warehouse workers.
Also, the use of chain mail structure in construction or industry is not excluded. The range of applications is quite wide, especially when you consider the possibility of making such a material from metals.
In the future, the team of scientists seeks to improve the characteristics of the chain mail and explore other methods of stiffening, for example, using magnetism, electricity or temperature changes.
Read also🧐
- Scientists have invented mosquito-proof clothing
- Scientists from China have developed a fabric that can cool the body in the heat
Scientists talk about dozens of COVID-19 symptoms that can persist for more than 6 months
Scientists have named the characteristic symptoms of the delta strain of coronavirus. They are different from the usual COVID-19