Comments on: Super-Strong Ceramic Mimics Seashells’ Tough Mother-of-Pearl Coating http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2008/12/10/super-strong-ceramic-mimics-seashells-tough-mother-of-pearl-coating/ 80beats is DISCOVER's news aggregator, weaving together the choicest tidbits from the best articles covering the day\'s most compelling topics. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:16:26 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jake Witmer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2008/12/10/super-strong-ceramic-mimics-seashells-tough-mother-of-pearl-coating/comment-page-1/#comment-15680 Jake Witmer Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:35:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2008/12/10/super-strong-ceramic-mimics-seashells-tough-mother-of-pearl-coating/#comment-15680 The solution to the heat problem seems likely to be to include some aluminum oxide "bricks" with just enough other strong metal oxide to withstand heat, or to simply use jumbled carbon nanotubes. Why would it need to be similar to nature in appearance? Functionality is all that matters. But perhaps this will be irrelevant with the advent of better spider silk generators, and eventually, single molecule graphene fabricators. (Where one carbon molecule can be several feet in length and diameter, and completely designed in shape.) Also, a house, car, bike, or bulletproof vest doesn't necessarily need to withstand extreme heat, especially if it can be built immensely faster and stronger than other building materials, and have other useful qualities. My suggestion is 'start building' before strong nanotech makes you obsolete. Talk to "second chance body armor" -they are open minded, and intelligent about new ideas, and already have a competent operation. Plus, they are quick to move. The solution to the heat problem seems likely to be to include some aluminum oxide “bricks” with just enough other strong metal oxide to withstand heat, or to simply use jumbled carbon nanotubes. Why would it need to be similar to nature in appearance? Functionality is all that matters. But perhaps this will be irrelevant with the advent of better spider silk generators, and eventually, single molecule graphene fabricators. (Where one carbon molecule can be several feet in length and diameter, and completely designed in shape.)

Also, a house, car, bike, or bulletproof vest doesn’t necessarily need to withstand extreme heat, especially if it can be built immensely faster and stronger than other building materials, and have other useful qualities. My suggestion is ’start building’ before strong nanotech makes you obsolete. Talk to “second chance body armor” -they are open minded, and intelligent about new ideas, and already have a competent operation. Plus, they are quick to move.

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