Transparent Aluminum is Here

Slashdot ^ | 8/23/2004 | Hemos

[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."

[ArrogantBustard]

The pylons for the engine nacelles were made from unobtanium, carefully alloyed with adamantium ... they were, therefore, infinitely strong in both shear and tension. No need to worry about the engines ripping off. (That was the goofiest SciFi spaceship design I've ever seen).

In fairness, the cell-phone does have a very short range, and IS95 CDMA includes several measure to basically turn the phone off when it's not actually transmitting.

The Iridium handsets are a better analogue of the STrek communicators. Anybody know how long they last?

[null and void]

I didn't say I wanted anyone else to have a flying car...

[ArGee]

I didn't say I wanted anyone else to have a flying car...

Mommy, if he gets one, I get one!

;)

Shalom.

[spunkets]

Lead is a minor component. It gives the SiO₂ glass a high index of refraction and makes it very clear. That's why it's used for fancy crystal glass.

[farmfriend]

BTTT

[Question_Assumptions]

Starfleet can come up with a battery that can hold enough energy to disintigrate people inside of weapon that you can fit into the palm of your hand.

[ArrogantBustard]

QED

[Larry Lucido]

The most pressing question: Will my aluminum foil hat still work if it's transparent?

[Flying Circus]

Um... Alumina (aka Aluminum Oxide) is recognized more commonly as quartz, sapphire, emerald, or several other gemstones. Transparency in alumina is nothing new; transparent metallic aluminum would be something special. Where do they get these idiots???

[BabsC]

Ever read about the Skeleton Key to the Gemstone Files in a book called Project Seek?

Ok, next question, will my aluminum hat still work it it's transparent?

Only on freerepublic can you find a link between the discovery of synthetic rubies, lasers, Howard Hughes, the Golden Triangle, the Kennedy assassination and Aristotle Onassis by reading an article about transparent aluminum.

[redheadtoo]

soon warp drive, I hope.

I'm looking forward to transporters myself. The Muslim world will go broke when we start beaming from place to place and stop buying their oil.

[Eepsy]

Yes:

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=79

[redheadtoo]

we never saw the crew use the loo either.

I saw an interview with Counselor Troi once. On the Star Trek set she pointed to a diagram of the Enterprise in the "Engineering Room." There was a tiny restroom symbol on the diagram, proof that the Enterprise had at least one toilet.

With over a thousand people aboard I shudder to think of the line to the use the Ladies Room.

[Captain Beyond]

bump

[ArGee]

I'm looking forward to transporters myself. The Muslim world will go broke when we start beaming from place to place and stop buying their oil.

Unfortunately, the dilithium crystals required to run the transporters have only been found, so far, under Mecca.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

With over a thousand people aboard I shudder to think of the line to the use the Ladies Room.

This is the 25th century. They do not have 'ladies' rooms. They don't even have 'womens' rooms. They have 'unisex waste evacuation facilities.' Make that 'omnisex.' Wouldn't want to leave anyone out.

Shalom.

[redheadtoo]

(That was the goofiest SciFi spaceship design I've ever seen).

The reason given for placing the warp engines at the end of a nacelle was that the engines actually warped space and thus had to be kept away from the starship. In a later episode of STNG it was shown that warp travel was actually causing environmental damage to space.

[ApesForEvolution]

Metal ? Oxide ? Transparent? Aluminum=Alumina (already transparent)? What a maroon...

[ArrogantBustard]

In a later episode of STNG it was shown that warp travel was actually causing environmental damage to space.

I'm not surprised ... All the television Trek spinoffs were leftist dreck. IMO. Everytime I would switch to one (against my better judgement), my friends Earl and Ralph would show up. And Roddenberry simply wanted a spaceship design that didn't look like Buck Rogers. Any Bafflegab Generator or BS Effect explanations came later.

[redheadtoo]

Unfortunately, the dilithium crystals required to run the transporters have only been found, so far, under Mecca.

They have 'unisex waste evacuation facilities.

ArGee you are being much to logical and taking the fun out my postings.