|
|
Paging Montgomery Scott, White Courtesy Phone Please
Apparently transparent aluminum isn't actually science fiction:
Scientists in the US have developed a novel technique to make bulk quantities of glass from alumina for the first time. 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.
Not exactly like having an engine block you can see through, but interesting nonetheless.
hmmmm....sounds neat but the use of "rare-earth metal oxides" makes it seem as if it would never be used for an everyday product. Perhaps they can find some way to make synthetic rare-earth metal oxides.
Posted by: carrie on November 30, 2004 01:26 PMIn reading the article, it appears that you could use calcium as well.
milk - it does a body good.
Posted by: ron on November 30, 2004 03:52 PM