Posted on 08/23/2004 7:16:42 AM PDT by sionnsar
from the like-blue-LEDs dept. Alien54 writes "Scientists in the US have developed a novel technique to make bulk quantities of glass from alumina for the first time. (link includes a picture of samples)
Anatoly Rosenflanz and colleagues at 3M in Minnesota used a "flame-spray" technique to alloy alumina (aluminium oxide) with rare-earth metal oxides to produce strong glass with good optical properties. The method avoids many of the problems encountered in conventional glass forming and could, say the team, be extended to other oxides (see also: A Rosenflanz et al. 2004 Nature 430 761).
Scotty would be pleased."
He certainly would. Very interesting post - Thanks
Now if we could only figure out the dilithium crystal thing.
Actually, I stole that bit about the dilithium crystals being in Saudi Arabia from a movie called The Nude Bomb. Chief: Max, this desk gets 80 miles to the gallon and runs on ink.
Max: Chief, that's fantastic. We can solve the energy crisis and end our dependence on foreign oil.
Cheif: Not exactly. It's a special ink that can only be made in Saudi Arabia.
I'm not quoting it perfectly, but it's about right.
As for omnisex restrooms - that's not funny. I expect them to appear within 5 years thanks to our GLBTAOP friends.
Shalom.
Ok, next question, will my aluminum hat still work if it's transparent?
The thing that always bugged me about that scene is that Scotty seemed unfamiliar with a mouse, called the keyboard "quaint", yet started pounding away on the keys like he was a court recorder. Ooops.
I just finished watching 2001:, and there is a scene when Dr. Heywood Floyd is reading the instructions for the zero-gravity bathroom. My wife says, "What does it do, suck the poop out of your butt?"
Yes, I love that woman.
Well, duh! It's because that computer was a Mac. And we all know how easy Macs are to use! < /sarcasm >
"Unfortunately, the dilithium crystals required to run the transporters have only been found, so far, under Mecca."
Fortunately, more can be formed by anti-matter blasts over that area.
transparent would definitely be an asset, but would it still keep out the Venusian mind control beams?
How about all those "space fighters" built with wings on them... and obviously not for use in atmosphere because of all the hard edges.
Actually, if your foil hat is made of laser quality ruby crystals then your hat will become a super receiver! Your hat will not block out signals but rather you will actually be able to communicate with the BORG! I understand 7 of 9 is available if you can find the right wavelength.
Translucent. Transluscent. Translushent. Okay it's 'bout crashin' time...
McCoy: "In all the confusion, I think I left it.
Kirk: "Left what?"
McCoy: "My communicator, I think I left it in Bella's office."
Spock: "The communicator contains a transtator, the integral part found in all machinery found of the Enterprise, so it is very likely that the imitative Iotians will have made impressive technological progress the next time they are visited by the Federation."
Kirk: "Bones, do you realize what you've done? Someday the Iotians may demand a piece of our action."
Okay, a small nit-pick. It was:
Kirk: "Bones, it upsets... the whole percentage!"
McCoy: "How do you mean?"
Kirk: "In a few years... the Iotians may demand... a piece of OUR action!"
(freeze frame, cue music) ;-)
I only remember the exact words becuase I was sick of Matt and Katie this morning and surfed over to the Sci-Fi Channel, just in time to see Kirk and the Iotians raise a toast to "The Syndicate".
Cool, except it isn't transparent aluminum.
It's transparent ALUMINA.
Aluminum Oxide. Al2-O3.
Is it just me, or wouldn't you pay good money to have a cell phone that looked exactly like a Star Trek TOS communicator?
Iridium is still Line-of-Sight, even if the line is straight up. Kirk's communicator could reach a starship even if it was on the other side of the planet. Of course, those styrofoam rocks are pretty transparent to radio waves. Maybe those entire planets were made of that stuff...
Does this pic come in transparent aluminum?
LOL !! Only in our dreams ... in real life, instead of Elizabeth Hurley, the model wearing it would be Rosanne Barr.
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