How does D3O technology revolutionize impact-resistant body armor?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around D3O technology and its application in impact-resistant body armor. Participants explore the properties of D3O, compare it to other materials, and discuss its potential advantages and limitations in protective gear.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe D3O as a moldable substance that behaves like plasticine but hardens upon impact, demonstrating impressive shock absorption.
  • One participant compares D3O to Sorbothane, noting its origins in attempts to create artificial skin and its shock-absorption capabilities.
  • There is a mention of magnetic liquid armor, which becomes rigid when an electric current is applied, contrasting it with D3O's properties.
  • Another participant explains that D3O is used in conjunction with Kevlar to enhance bullet resistance and reduce injury by distributing impact forces over a larger area.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliability of magnetorheological armor due to potential battery failures.
  • Some participants speculate about the nature of D3O, suggesting it may be a non-Newtonian dilatant fluid.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the effectiveness and reliability of D3O compared to other materials like magnetorheological armor. There is no consensus on which technology is superior or the best application for body armor.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different properties and applications of D3O and related materials, but there are unresolved questions regarding the specific mechanisms of action and comparative effectiveness of these technologies.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring advancements in materials science, protective gear technology, and applications in sports or military contexts.

DaveC426913
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There was a thread around here a few weeks back about futuristic armour that could distribute the energy of an impact.

I just watched an article on TV about this cool substance they're putting in sports outfits. It was called D3O.

I watched this guy take a hand-sized lump - it looks and behaves exactly like plasticine - and mold it easily into an amorphous blob. He then picked up a hammer and whammed it several times, and it hardly distorted at all!

Sci-fi eat yer heart out!
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
[MEDIA=youtube]Grq2NzI9nNI[/MEDIA]&search=d3o[/URL]

I think you mean that. Or what is more interesting, an egg wrapped in d30 surviving to an impact...

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]uuTsXpbLfRU[/MEDIA]&NR[/URL]
 
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It sounds like a mouldable version of Sorbothane. That stuff was invented by some Brit researchers over 25 years ago. They were trying to make artificial skin for transplantation to burn victims. It turned out that it wasn't biologically compatible, but displayed amazing shock-absorption properties. I saw a demonstration that one of their representatives performed on 'The Tonight Show' when Carson was still hosting it. He had a block of the stuff about 2 inches on a side, cut in half with a hemispherical cavity carved out of each half. He set one on Carson's desk with the cavity up, placed a raw egg in it, and covered it with the other half. As Carson watched in obvious concern for his wardrobe, the guy proceded to whap the top block with a large hammer. Nothing happened. :bugeye:
As to the body-armour, I believe that you're getting this stuff mixed up with the magnetic liquid armour currently in development. It goes rigid when an electric current is passed through it, which can be instantly triggered by a bullet impact. 'How Stuff Works' has an article on it.
 
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Clausius2 said:
[MEDIA=youtube]Grq2NzI9nNI[/MEDIA]&search=d3o[/URL]

I think you mean that. Or what is more interesting, an egg wrapped in d30 surviving to an impact...

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]uuTsXpbLfRU[/MEDIA]&NR[/URL][/QUOTE]
Cool. Though the egg is no wrapped in D3O, they dropped the egg [I]on[/I] D3O.
 
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Danger said:
As to the body-armour, I believe that you're getting this stuff mixed up with the magnetic liquid armour currently in development. It goes rigid when an electric current is passed through it, which can be instantly triggered by a bullet impact. 'How Stuff Works' has an article on it.

The substance to which you refer is one form of liquid body armor (magnetorheological), d30 is the other kind. Both are being studied alongside one another but, AFAIK, only d30 has actually been used. They dip Kevlar in the stuff, and the Kevlar weeve holds the liquid in place. When struck by a bullet (or any other sharp impact), the d30 increases the rigidity of the kevlar, which both increases its ability to stop the bullet
and decreases the injury to the wearer by distributing the force over a broader area. This way, the guy wearing the vest doesn't get that bruising and occassionaly rib-breaking trauma from the vest deforming in a conical shape right where the bullet hit.
 
Thanks for the clarification, Lurch. I haven't heard of that before. While I like the idea of the magnetorheological design, I don't like the idea of getting smoked because of a defective battery. :biggrin:
 
Let me guess. It's a non-Newtonian dilatent fluid. (Geez, you really can learn something just by watching someone walk on custard :biggrin: )
 
MMMmmmm; non-Newtonian dilatent fluid! :-p