http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34213/118/ could plastic jails and Scotty's transparent aluminum in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." be coming soon? Probably not but this sounds like it could be used for cars, particularly front and rear bumpers
Ummm.... bumpers are made to buckle, not maintain their rigidity. The entire front and rear ends of cars are designed to absorb shock by crumpling, it's the passenger compartment that benefits from being ultra-strong. Safety demands have helped create much heavier cars per unit volume than what used to be on the road. Using advanced materials like this once they reach a manageable price point would go along way towards reducing the weight of vehicles which would in turn increase their performance and economy.
Well, my 3 year old is constantly breaking his toys. Self-repairing plastic would make my life a lot easier.
there be whales here! this is really awesome, imagine using this material in replace of glass or plexi glass, stronger and transparent
So now the question is when can we get this stuff used on space craft with one of those "impulse" engines just developed that can get to mars in a week?!