Automatically Hardening Body Armor

Deflexion, developed by Dow Corning, is a material that is normally soft. When something hits it, the material instantly hardens, and then returns to its previous flexibility. So far, it's being used to make body armor for athletes, such as motorcycle riders and rodeo competitors. Dow Corning says:
It can be stylishly incorporated into a garment such as a base layer shirt, it can be designed to create protective equipment, like a soccer shin guard, or it can be incorporated into protective cases for delicate equipment. Because this high performance fabric is flexible, it can be cut and sewn directly into clothing, eliminating the need to insert uncomfortable padding. It can be layered, so garments can be customized with increased levels of protection for specific areas.
Link via DVICE | Image: Dow Corning, Screenshot: Core77
Newest 5 Comments
hopefully Dow Corning will make sheets of it available to the public, unlike that other company D3O
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Sci-fi author John Brunner described this type of material in "The Sheep Look Up" - his character had a 'Karatehand' glove.
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I dig this stuff, Mountain bikers have been using it in knee/shin pads for a few years now and it totally works.
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I saw the Punisher skull myself, PT, but I think you're onto something.
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SPIDERMAN! (am I the only one to see this?)
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