Transparent Aluminum
 

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It's 2150 already!? Wow, time really does travel when you're having fun...
Slashdot Article

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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.

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

you can get transparent aluminum now

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

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

Wetzel

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

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

WC :cool:

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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.

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

is it in the Small Parts Inc catalog yet?

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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.

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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.

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

Every day it gets closer and closer.... see this article.



-dave

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

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.

Re: Transparent Aluminum
 

Here 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.