Transparent Aluminum

[Mike]

Post here (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=335352&postcount=8)

We tried to get clear aluminum, but it was on back order. They said it would be in by March 3, 2150

It's 2150 already!? Wow, time really does travel when you're having fun...
Slashdot Article (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/10/18/0337213&tid=126&tid=14)

[mechanicalbrain]

Yeah if anyone want the ultimate sponsor here is the maker http://www.surmet.com/ceramics.html or at least one of them.

[jdiwnab]

Cool, though not quite transparent Alumninum as in Star Trek IV. While this has Alumninum, it is a ceramic. But how did Scotty know how to use Mac Draft? And did that company make Plexiglas before? I don't know if 1982 (when that company started according to the web site) would be enough time before 1984 to build up like the factory in Star Trek.

[dlavery]

Yeah if anyone want the ultimate sponsor here is the maker http://www.surmet.com/ceramics.html or at least one of them.

Very cool! Now we can get a transparent yttrium oxide ceramic dome to cover the CMUcam so it doesn't get trashed when our robot spins out of control again (everyone that went to IRI remembers our "death spiral dance"). But I wonder if it will fit within the robot parts budget...

-dave

[team222badbrad]

We tried to get clear aluminum, but it was on back order.

Last I knew it was called Lexan!!..... ;)

[KenWittlief]

you can get transparent aluminum now

only drawback is: its a gas, and pretty hot :^)

[sciguy125]

Let us all rejoice as the whales have been brought back from extinction. All hail Scotty!

[Wetzel]

Very cool! Now we can get a transparent yttrium oxide ceramic dome to cover the CMUcam so it doesn't get trashed when our robot spins out of control again (everyone that went to IRI remembers our "death spiral dance"). But I wonder if it will fit within the robot parts budget...

-dave

So there will be a budget again, but will it expand enough to allow a "transparent yttrium oxide ceramic dome?"

Wetzel

[Wayne C.]

does this mean I need to round up some Humpback Whales now?

Dave- what did you lure into the solar system!!!?

WC :cool:

[Anthony]

Although Yttrium Oxide domes and ALONtm should unquestionably come in this years kit of parts, something tells me the reality is quite different. As a 6" high dome would only cost like $3400 (assuming it actually is $15 per square inch). But we can still dream right. Something tells me we will not be able to use it on our robots yet.

[KenWittlief]

is it in the Small Parts Inc catalog yet?

[billbo911]

Although Yttrium Oxide domes and ALONtm should unquestionably come in this years kit of parts, something tells me the reality is quite different. As a 6" high dome would only cost like $3400 (assuming it actually is $15 per square inch). But we can still dream right. ....

And nobody thought Titanium would ever be able to be a cost effective material to use in golf clubs.

Just give technology, marketing and manufacturing a little time, I think you will be amazed.

[sciguy125]

And nobody thought Titanium would ever be able to be a cost effective material to use in golf clubs.

Just give technology, marketing and manufacturing a little time, I think you will be amazed.
Yes, I remember something about regular aluminum being extraordinarily expensive also. Was it Napoleon who had the aluminum dishware? Apparently it was also a big deal that the very tip of the Washington Monument was a block of aluminum (something about it being the largest chunk in existance or something). Now? You bring in a garbage bag full of soda cans and they give you a dollar.

[dlavery]

Every day it gets closer and closer.... see this article (http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=18106).

http://images.spaceref.com/news/2005/transparent.aluminum.1.jpg

-dave

[sanddrag]

Every day it gets closer and closer.... see this article (http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=18106).

http://images.spaceref.com/news/2005/transparent.aluminum.1.jpg

-daveIs that a picture of the screen of a compact Mac (Plus, Classic, SE, etc)?

[Bill Moore]

Is that a picture of the screen of a compact Mac (Plus, Classic, SE, etc)?

Star Trek IV "The Voyage Home". Scotty uses a Mac Plus to draw up the schematic for transparent aluminum.

(Movie date 1986.)

SE was released in 1987; Classic in 1990.

[jdiwnab]

Here (http://www.stidy.com/MondoMac/FrameApple/startrek4_03.jpg) is a picture of more of the computer itself.
And some how Scotty used the keyboard to type that in. And he knew how to use MacDraft. It must make a come back.